The US visa bond programme became effective on August 1, 2026, requiring citizens from about 50 countries to post refundable bonds ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 before securing B-1 business or B-2 tourist visas. Pakistan is not among these countries, as confirmed by diplomatic sources, while Bangladesh and Nepal are included. Other South Asian nations such as India are exempt, alongside Afghanistan and Iran, which are excluded due to the absence of normal diplomatic relations with the United States.
Visa Overstay Reductions Lead to Program Permanency
The US State Department’s decision to make the visa bond programme permanent followed a 2025 pilot phase that demonstrated a marked
reduction in visa overstays. During 2024, travelers from the designated 50 countries accounted for 45,488 overstays. However, within the first ten months of the pilot, overstays dropped to fewer than 50. These results prompted the department to formalize the bond requirements as a standard part of the visa application process for affected countries.
Financial Terms and Bond Conditions
Under the permanent rules, US consular officers may require a refundable bond deposit between $10,000 and $20,000 from applicants. This amount increased from a pilot maximum of $15,000, and the previous $5,000 minimum bond was eliminated. Deposits are refunded if applicants comply with visa conditions and depart
the US within the authorised period. Non-compliance or overstaying results in forfeiture of the bond.
Impact on Pakistani Travelers Compared to Other Nations
Pakistani nationals applying for US visitor visas face no bond posting requirement, simplifying their application process relative to applicants from countries included in the programme. Diplomatic sources confirmed Pakistan’s exclusion from the list of countries mandated to post bonds. Conversely, residents of Bangladesh and Nepal must comply with the bond condition, consistent with the programme’s rules.
The programme specifically applies to B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants from the covered countries. Eligibility for bond posting is determined on a case-by-case basis by US consular
officials during the visa adjudication process.
