The U.S. Department of State has expanded its visa bond program to include nationals from 38 countries, adding Nepal and 24 others to the list effective January 21, 2026. Under the program, certain applicants for B1/B2 visitor visas from designated countries are required to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 before a visa can be issued. The specific bond amount is determined individually during the applicant’s visa interview.
According to the State Department, the visa bond program is implemented under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and the Temporary Final Rule (TFR), which established the pilot initiative. It is designed to address concerns over visa overstays by relying on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Entry/Exit Overstay Report to identify countries with high B1/B2 overstay rates.
Nationals of Malawi and Zambia have been subject to the bond requirement since August 20, 2025, while The Gambia’s inclusion began on October 11, 2025. Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania followed on October 23, 2025. The rule was further expanded on January 1, 2026, to include Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan.
As announced on January 6, 2026, the Department of State has now added another 25 countries, including Nepal, with implementation beginning January 21, 2026. The full list of countries now subject to the visa bond program includes: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, the Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Applicants determined eligible for a B1/B2 visa must complete DHS Form I-352 to post the required bond. Payments must be made only through the official U.S. Treasury platform, Pay.gov. The State Department has warned that applicants should not use third-party websites, as the U.S. government will not be liable for funds submitted through unauthorized channels. The Department also emphasized that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval, and any funds submitted without specific instruction from a U.S. consular officer will not be refunded.
Visa holders who have posted a bond are required to enter and depart the United States only through designated ports of entry — Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), or Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). Failure to comply with this condition may result in delayed or denied entry, or an unrecorded departure that could affect future visa eligibility.
To ensure compliance, the Department of Homeland Security refers potential violations of bond terms to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Violations include overstaying the authorized period, failing to depart on time, or attempting to change or adjust immigration status in the U.S., including asylum applications.
Through this expansion, the State Department aims to strengthen visa compliance mechanisms and reduce nonimmigrant overstays among nationals of countries with elevated rates of B1/B2 visa non-compliance.
According to DHS’s Fiscal Year 2024 Entry/Exit Overstay Report, the total U.S. nonimmigrant overstay population was approximately 500,000, representing 1.15 percent of all expected departures. The vast majority of visitors—98.85 percent—complied with the terms of their admission by departing on time or adjusting their status.
For Nepali nationals, DHS data showed a 3.12 percent visitor (B visa) overstay rate in FY 2024, down from 4.19 percent in FY 2023. However, the overstay rate among Nepali students (F, M, J visa holders) rose slightly to 10.25 percent in FY 2024, from 10.20 percent the previous year.
The U.S. government’s continued expansion of the visa bond policy marks a significant step in its effort to promote lawful travel compliance and reduce the number of short-term visitors who remain in the country beyond their authorized stay.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
