On August 5, 2025, the US Department of State (DoS) has announced the launch of a 12-month Visa Bond Pilot Program, effective August 20, 2025, through August 5, 2026. This initiative allows consular officers to require certain nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance.
The program applies to applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas who are nationals of countries identified as having:
- High visa overstay rates,
- Inadequate screening and vetting cooperation, or
- Citizenship-by-investment programs that do not require residency.
Countries Subject to Visa Bonds
As of August 2025, the DoS has identified nationals of Malawi and Zambia as subject to the bond requirement, based on overstay rates reported in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s FY 2023 Overstay Report.
Key Details of the Pilot Program:
- Authority: The program is authorized under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which permits consular officers to require a “Maintenance of Status and Departure Bond” to ensure the visa holder departs the US upon expiration of their authorized stay.
- Discretionary Use: Consular officers will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a bond is required, based on the applicant’s nationality and risk profile.
- Purpose: The pilot aims to assess the operational feasibility of visa bonds and their effectiveness in reducing overstays and improving compliance with US immigration laws.
- Bond Amounts: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, determined by the consular officer.
- Payment Process: Applicants must submit DHS Form I-352 and pay the bond via the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform. Payments made outside official channels will not be refunded.
- Ports of Entry: Visa holders who post a bond must enter and exit the US through designated airports:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- Bond Refunds: The bond will be refunded if the visa holder complies with all terms, including timely departure or denial of entry. Breaches are reviewed by DHS and may result in forfeiture.
Historically, the use of visa bonds has been rare due to administrative complexity and concerns about public perception.
In addition to the bond requirement, the DoS will soon implement a $250 Visa Integrity Fee for all nonimmigrant visa applicants, as authorized under the recent budget reconciliation bill. This fee is designed to support enhanced screening and enforcement efforts. Like the visa bond, the integrity fee may be refunded if the visa holder complies with all visa conditions, including timely departure or lawful extension of stay. Together, these measures reflect a growing emphasis on accountability and compliance within the US visa system.
Erickson Insights & Analysis
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or if you have case-specific questions.
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