The United States might implement a new visa bond rule that requires them to pay a refundable deposit of up to $15,000 before they may be issued a visa. Consular officials will decide whether to impose the bond based on each individual’s case. This action is a part of a one-year pilot study that the State Department said will begin on August 20, 2025.
However, this refundable bond is yet to be finalized. Currently its under pilot study and a 15-day lead time would be given before implementation.
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Travelers from Malawi and Zambia may soon need to pay a refundable bond before entering the country in this regard as the U.S. State Department has flagged both nations for their high rates of visa overstays under the B1/B2 category, based on the latest FY 2023 Overstay Report released by the Department of Homeland Security.
As per the FY 2023 report, Malawi saw notably high overstay rates around 14.32% for travelers entering by land and 4.17% by air or sea under the B1/B2 visa category. Among Malawian students on F, M, or J visas, nearly 20% overstayed their permitted duration. Zambia also reported overstay rates exceeding 10% for similar visa classes. In contrast, India had a significantly lower overstay footprint, with 3,822 recorded cases and an overall rate of just 1.58%. For Indian B1/B2 visa holders, the rate was even lower at 1.29%.
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This bond requirement will apply selectively to applicants seeking B-1/B-2 visas from countries flagged for high overstay rates to the U.S. for business or tourism. It may also cover nations that lack adequate screening and vetting systems, or those offering Citizenship by Investment programs where individuals can obtain a passport without ever living in the country. The goal is to tighten entry criteria for travelers seen as higher risk under U.S. immigration data.
From August 20, travelers holding passports from listed countries will need to pay a refundable bond which could be set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 if they’re found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa during their interview. The bond amount will be decided by the consular officer at the time of processing. Along with this, applicants must complete Form I-352 from the Department of Homeland Security and make the payment through the U.S. Treasury’s online portal, Pay.gov. This rule applies no matter where the visa is being processed. If the visitor follows all visa rules, terms and conditions of the visa bond, the full bond amount will be refunded.