Following the U.S. State Department’s inclusion of Nepal on the list of countries required to post a bond for visitor visas, concerns have surfaced regarding Nepal’s restrictions on U.S. dollar expenditures. Since Nepalis are barred from making payments exceeding the limits set on dollar cards, applicants face significant practical hurdles—specifically regarding how they will settle the required bond.
Responding to NepYork’s inquiries, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State clarified that friends, relatives, or other interested parties may post the bond on an applicant’s behalf. “If the applicant has a friend, relative, or other interested person willing to post the bond, that person may use the Pay.gov link and provide the appropriate identifiers for the applicant,” the spokesperson said.
“Otherwise qualified applicants must post a visa bond of up to $15,000 within 30 days of the visa interview, as instructed by the consular officer, before a visa can be issued,” the spokesperson added. “They will be directed during the interview to Treasury’s www.Pay.gov to make the payment.”
“If the visa holder complies with the terms of the bond, the bond is automatically canceled and the funds are returned to the payer,” the spokesperson said. However, if the applicant overstays, violates visa conditions, or applies for asylum or status adjustment while in the United States, the bond will be forfeited, the Department of State said. The deposit does not accrue interest.
According to the State Department, the bond requirement applies only to visitor visa categories B-1 and B-2, and not to immigrant or other nonimmigrant visas. Consular officers will determine at their discretion whether a bond is necessary and will set the amount based on the applicant’s circumstances. Payments must be made exclusively through the U.S. Treasury’s official platform, Pay.gov; applicants will be directed there during their interview.
The Department emphasized that applicants must not use third-party websites or intermediaries for payment, warning that the U.S. government will not be responsible for funds sent through unauthorized channels.
Nepal’s inclusion in the program stems from the FY2024 U.S. “Overstay Report,” which recorded a 3.12% overstay rate among Nepali visitor visa holders. Of the 34,070 Nepalis who entered the U.S. on such visas, 1,064 overstayed their authorized period, with 892 still in the country at the time of the report’s publication. The student visa overstay rate for Nepali nationals was even higher, at 10.25%.
Applicants required to post a bond must do so within 30 days of their visa interview and before visa issuance. The visa is generally valid for one entry of up to three months, although U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers may further limit the stay to 30 days upon entry.
According to the State Department, the bond requirement aims to encourage compliance with U.S. immigration laws among nationals from countries with higher overstay rates or limited vetting capabilities. The list, now including 38 countries, will be updated periodically.
A State Department spokesperson added, “The Trump administration continues to put America and its interests first by fully enforcing U.S. immigration laws and ensuring lawful travel through our visa process.”
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.
