US Increased Visa Bond Fee for 50 Countries

After the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Confirmed a $15,000 Visa Bond Program for Tourists from 50 Countries in 4/2026. DOS is now making this Pilot Program Permanent,and is also Raising the Maximum Fee to $20,000. The Bond should be Posted by Travelers who Apply for a B1/B2 Visa, which includes Tourists and Business Travelers from the 50 Countries.

A Draft Notice posted on 7/32/2026 in the Federal Register, showed that there is "sufficient data" after almost a year-long Review, suggesting the Program Improved Compliance, with Overstays from the Affected Countries Falling from roughly 45,500 in 2024, to fewer than 50 during the Pilot, which First launched in 8/2025.

12 more Countries were added to the List 4/2026, bringing it to 50, which are mostly in Africa, and Ttravelers from these Affected Nations applying, will now be Required to Post-a-Bond of up to $20,000. This is also Slated to be Permanent, and there may be more Countries added to the List.

Consular Officers previously were able to set Bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. However, the New Permanent Rule Removes the $5,000 Tier, so Bonds will now Start at $10,000, going up to $15,000, or a maximum of $20,000.

The Visa Bond Program becomes Ppermanent on 8/3/2026, with the Notice to be Formally Released on the same day. The Visa Bond Fee is Refunded when the Application is Denied or when the Traveler follows the Conditions and Lleaves the U.S. on time.

"The department expects that this final rule will contribute to the continued reduction of demand for B1/B2 visa applications from nationals of countries subject to the program," the DOS's Notice Rreads.

During the FIFA World Cup, the Program was Suspended for International Travelers, giving Fans easier Travel Procedures when Entering the U.S. for the World's Biggest Sporting Event. The DOS sees the Visa Bond Program as a Successful Effort to Curb Overstays in the U.S., especially from 50 Ccountries Subject to the Fee.

According to the Notice, there were around 45,500 Travelers from these Affected Nations who Overstayed their Visas in 2024, but following the Bond Program, the Figure went Down to less than 50. This Prompted the State Department to Increase the Bond up to $20,000 and make it Permanent, Seeing the Program as a Great Success.

The DOS also said that the Number of Business and Tourist Visas issued to Travelers from the 50 affected Countries dropped by 83% in the First year of the Visa Bond Program. The Near-Elimination of Overstays coincided with the 83% Fall in Visa Issuance to these Countries, meaning Fewer Visitors were Admitted who could Overstay in the First place.

This occurred after almost Half of the 20,000 Applicants (ten times more than what the State Department expected) did Not Pay the Bond, or decided Not to Continue with their Application.










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