What is the U.S. Visa Bond Requirement?

The U.S. government now requires certain international travelers to post a cash bond before their visa will be issued. It's called the Visa Bond Pilot Program, and if you haven't heard of it yet, you're not alone.

Here’s the short version: nationals from 50 countries with high visa overstay rates must deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 USD as a condition of receiving a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The bond is refundable once the traveler departs the U.S. on time. But it adds meaningful cost, time, and uncertainty to what many people expect to be a routine process.

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup bringing a wave of international visitors to the U.S. this summer, this policy is getting more attention than it has since it launched. If you or someone you advise is planning U.S. travel from an affected country, it's worth understanding now rather than at the consular interview.

We’re happy to answer questions about how it applies to your situation.

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