U.S. Expands $15,000 Visa Bond Requirement to Additional Countries

The U.S. Department of State has expanded its visa bond program, adding The Gambia, effective October 11, 2025, to the list of countries whose citizens must post a bond when applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visitor visas. Previously, Malawi and Zambia were on the list, both effective August 20, 2025.

This initiative, authorized under INA Section 221(g)(3) and the Temporary Final Rule (TFR), was launched on August 20, 2025, and will continue until August 5, 2026, with periodic reviews to update the list of targeted countries. The program targets nations with high visa overstay rates, inadequate vetting processes, or lenient citizenship programs, as identified in the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2024 Overstay Report.

Under the visa bond program, nationals of The Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, as determined by a consular officer during the visa interview based on the applicant’s individual circumstances. Applicants are required to submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) and agree to bond terms through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform, regardless of where they apply for the visa.

Payments must be made only after explicit instructions from a consular officer, who provides a direct Pay.gov link. The U.S. government has warned that payments made through third-party websites are at the applicant’s risk and are nonrefundable, and paying a bond does not guarantee visa issuance. Visas issued under this program are valid for three months, allow a single entry, and may be limited to a 30-day stay by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers upon entry.

Visa holders who post a bond must enter and exit the U.S. through designated ports: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Failure to use these ports may lead to denied entry or improper recording of departure, thereby risking bond forfeiture.

The bond is refunded in full if the visa holder complies with all visa and bond terms, as outlined in Form I-352 and on Travel.State.Gov. Refunds are automatic if the visa holder departs the U.S. on or before their authorized stay expires, does not travel to the U.S. before the visa expires, or is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry. No interest is paid on the bond, which is held in a U.S. Treasury-managed account.

However, breaches—such as overstaying, remaining in the U.S. beyond the authorized period, or applying to adjust status (including asylum claims)—are referred to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review, and confirmed breaches result in bond forfeiture.

While Nepal is not currently included in the visa bond program, its history of elevated overstay rates raises concerns. According to the FY 2024 Overstay Report, of the 34,070 Nepali B-1/B-2 visa holders expected to depart, 1,064 (3.12%) overstayed, with 892 remaining in the U.S. (a suspected in-country overstay rate of 2.62%) and 172 leaving after their authorized period.

Historical data from the Biden administration (2021–2023) shows fluctuating rates: 4.19% in FY 2023 (1,036 overstays out of 24,723 expected departures), 12.31% in FY 2022 (1,809 overstays out of 14,699), and 8.55% in FY 2021 (298 overstays out of 3,507). Pre-Biden years also reflect high rates, with 4.55% in 2020 (1,261 overstays), 3.38% in 2019 (916 overstays), 4.36% in 2018 (1,185 overstays), and a peak of 5.45% in 2016 (946 overstays), though 2017 saw a lower rate of 2.33% (564 overstays).