Keenan Ennis 
Shilpa Malik 
The U.S. Department of State has introduced the launch of the Visa Bond Pilot Program. Starting August 20, 2025, this one-year program will require B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas from certain countries to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000 before their visa can be approved.
The primary objective of this program, according to the Federal Register, is to test a new method for ensuring timely departure from the United States and to address the persistent issue of visa overstays.
Who Does the Bond Apply To?
This pilot program does not affect all visa applicants. It specifically targets B-1/B-2 visa applicants who are nationals of countries identified by the Department of State as having high visa overstay rates. Additionally, individuals from countries with what the U.S. deems deficient screening protocols or those offering “Citizenship by Investment” programs without significant residency requirements may also be subject to the bond requirement.
A definitive list of the countries included in this pilot program is expected to be published on the official Travel.State.Gov website at least 15 days prior to the program’s start date.
Which Countries Have The Highest Overstay Rates?
While the Department of State has not announced the countries, the list below outlines the top 25 countries with the highest total overstay rates for non-immigrant business or pleasure visitors from non-VWP countries in Fiscal Year 2023.
Top 25 Overstay Rates (FY 2023, Non-VWP Business/Pleasure Visitors)
- Chad: 49.54%
- Laos: 34.77%
- Haiti: 31.38%
- Congo (Brazzaville): 29.63%
- Burma: 27.07%
- Sudan: 26.30%
- Djibouti: 23.90%
- Equatorial Guinea: 21.98%
- Eritrea: 20.09%
- Yemen: 19.76%
- Liberia: 19.40%
- Togo: 19.03%
- Burundi: 15.35%
- Turkmenistan: 15.35%
- Sierra Leone: 15.43%
- Congo (Kinshasa): 15.09%
- Mauritania: 14.40%
- Malawi: 14.32%
- Angola: 13.90%
- Cabo Verde: 12.84%
- Bhutan: 12.71%
- Burkina Faso: 12.13%
- Benin: 11.54%
- Zambia: 11.11%
- The Gambia: 11.05%
Source: 2023 Fiscal Year U.S. Customs and Border Protection report.
Bond Amounts and Visa Restrictions
Under the new rules, consular officers can set the bond to $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The specific amount will be determined based on an assessment of the individual applicant’s circumstances.
Visas issued under this pilot program will come with notable restrictions:
- They will be granted a single entry into the United States
- They will only be valid for three months.
- The authorized period of stay within the U.S. for these visa holders will likely be limited to 30 days.
Payment, Refunds, and Forfeiture
Applicants required to post a bond must pay via the official U.S. government portal, Pay.Gov. While the bond is refundable, the upfront cost presents a significant financial barrier for the average individual in many of the targeted countries, often amounting to several times the local annual income. If the visitor adheres to all conditions of their visa, including departing the United States before their authorized stay expires, the full bond amount will be returned.
However, failure to comply with these terms will result in the forfeiture of the entire bond. This includes overstaying the visa or otherwise violating the terms of their immigration status.
Applicants must distinguish this refundable bond from the separate, non-refundable “Visa Integrity Fee” of at least $250, which is a new requirement for all non-immigrant visa applications.
How VisaNation Can Help
The Visa Bond Pilot Program is scheduled to run for one year, concluding on August 5, 2026. Prospective visitors to the United States should stay informed by monitoring the Department of State’s official website for updates and the list of affected countries.
For any questions and concerns, schedule a consultation with an experienced VisaNation immigration attorney.