State Department Launches Visa Bond Pilot for B-1/B-2 Applicants

On Aug. 4, the U.S. State Department published a temporary final rule launching an almost 12-month pilot program requiring select B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visa applicants to post a bond as a condition of visa issuance. The rule targets nationals of countries with elevated visa overstay rates, inadequate identity verification protocols, or pathways for citizenship by investment. The pilot program is scheduled to run through Aug. 4, 2026.

Certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants may now be required to pay a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 to ensure timely departure from the U.S. The bond will be returned if the traveler leaves before their authorized stay ends. The rule does not change visa eligibility and applies only to those otherwise eligible for B-1/B-2 visas. Visa officers will decide on bond requirements case by case under existing authority. The State Department introduced the rule to address overstay concerns and test whether financial guarantees improve compliance and data tracking.

Importantly, the rule exempts travelers applying under visa waiver agreements and does not apply to employment-based visa categories such as H-1B, L-1, and O-1. However, the pilot could have downstream relevance for screening and compliance practices if extended to broader populations.

The visa bond pilot was initially introduced during the first Trump Administration and has now been reintroduced with modifications for implementation and monitoring under current policy priorities.