WASHINGTON (The Thursday Times) — The United States has permanently introduced a refundable visa bond requirement of between $10,000 and $20,000 for selected visitors from 50 countries applying for business and tourist visas, following what officials described as the success of a pilot programme that significantly reduced visa overstays. Pakistan has not been included among the countries subject to the new measure.
According to a notice published in the US Federal Register, citizens of Bangladesh and Nepal are among those affected in South Asia, while Pakistan and India have been excluded. The programme also covers 30 African nations alongside several countries across Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
The US State Department said the decision follows an evaluation of the visa bond pilot introduced in 2025, which found a substantial decline in cases where visitors remained in the country beyond the validity of their visas. Officials said the initiative had strengthened compliance with US immigration laws and reduced the number of unlawful overstays.
Department figures show that 45,488 travellers from the participating countries overstayed their visas during 2024. During the first ten months of the pilot programme, however, recorded overstays reportedly fell to fewer than 50 cases, prompting Washington to make the policy permanent.
The programme applies to applicants seeking B-1 business visas and B-2 tourist visas. Under the new rules, US consular officers may require selected applicants to deposit a refundable bond ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 before a visa is issued.
The State Department said the full amount will be returned once a visitor leaves the United States within the authorised period and complies with all visa conditions. Those who overstay their visas or violate immigration rules, however, risk forfeiting the entire bond.
