Original Date Announced

The Department of State (DOS) issued a temporary final rule to launch a 12-month visa-bond pilot program until August 5, 2026. Certain B-1/B-2 business- or tourism-visa applicants will post a financial bond of up to $15,000, as well as visitors from countries with high visa-overstay rates, inadequate screening or problems with vetting information, and persons who acquired citizenship through a Citizenship by Investment program without fulfilling a residency requirement. The decision to impose a bond will be made at consular officers' discretion.

Trump 2.0 [ID #1905]

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.08.05 State 9 FAM 401.1 - Introduction to Nonimmigrant Visas and Status

DOS updated 9 FAM 401.1-4 with new language introducing bond guidance. The new language states that “Bonds Should Be Used In Applicable Circumstances,” and that "[t]he consular officer should have no doubt of the applicant's intent to depart the United States in a timely manner, nor have concerns of visa misuse." The language further states that violations of the terms and conditions of bond will "include prohibitions against violating any condition of his or her status, remaining in the United States after expiration of the temporary period of admission, or attempting to adjust status out of a nonimmigrant visa class. DHS will make all bond breach determinations."

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.08.11: RIN 1400–AG01 Visa Bond Pilot Program - Correction

DOS published a correction to the temporary final rule clarifying effective dates of amendatory instructions, making the program effective August 20, 2025, instead of August 5.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.09.26 - Countries Subject to Visa Bonds

DOS ordered that, under a pilot program authorized by INA § 221(g)(3), nationals of The Gambia (effective October 11, 2025), Malawi, and Zambia (both effective August 20, 2025) who apply for B-1/B-2 visitor visas will be required to post a visa bond. The bond amount (either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) will be set during the visa interview, and applicants must submit Form I-352 and agree to bond terms via the Pay.gov platform. Bonded visa holders must enter and exit the U.S. through designated ports (Boston Logan, JFK, and Dulles), or risk denied entry or unrecorded departures. The bond will be refunded if the visa holder complies with visa and bond conditions (e.g. departs on time, no overstay) and canceled in certain cases (e.g. visa expires before travel).

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.10.10 DOS - Press Statement: United States to Implement Visa Bond Pilot Program for Malian Travelers

The U.S. Embassy in Bamako, Mali, announced that DOS is establishing a Visa Bond Pilot Program, effective October 23, 2025. Under this program, Malian nationals must post either a $5,000 or $10,000 visa bond before a B-1/B-2 visa can be issued. The consular officer will determine the appropriate visa bond on a case-by-case basis, taking into account the applicant's circumstances at the time of the interview.

Subsequent Trump and Court Action

2025.10.12 Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - Press Release on Reciprocal Visa Bond Program

The Malian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation released a statement imposing "an identical visa program" on U.S. citizens, with "the same conditions and requirements as those applied to Malian citizens" under the Visa Bond Pilot Program.