The United States government implemented a visa bond programme on August 1, 2026, requiring applicants from 50 countries to post refundable bonds ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 before being granted B-1 business or B-2 tourist visas. The programme spans nations in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific and aims to improve compliance with US immigration rules and reduce visa overstays.
Pakistan Exempt from Visa Bond Programme; Regional Coverage
Diplomatic sources confirm Pakistan is not included in the list of countries subject to the new visa bond requirement. In South Asia, Bangladesh and Nepal are among the 50 countries covered, while India is excluded. Afghanistan and Iran are
also not part of the programme due to the absence of normal diplomatic relations with the US. Pakistani visa applicants are therefore not required to submit bond deposits prior to visa issuance.
Impact on Visa Overstays and Compliance
In 2024, there were 45,488 reported visa overstays from the 50 countries now covered by the programme. Following a 2025 pilot phase, the number of overstays dropped sharply to fewer than 50 in the first ten months. This reduction in overstays coincided with an improvement in adherence to visa conditions among participating travellers.
Bond Conditions, Refunds, and Consular Discretion
Applicants required to post bonds must comply with visa conditions and exit the United States
before their authorized stay ends to receive full refunds. Those who overstay or breach visa terms forfeit their bond deposits. US consular officers exercise discretion in applying the bond requirement, deciding on a case-by-case basis which applicants must post bonds before visa issuance.
The programme increases the maximum bond amount from $15,000 during the pilot phase to $20,000, and removes the previous minimum bond of $5,000. This reflects efforts to tighten visa compliance among nationals of the covered countries without imposing mandatory bond deposits on all applicants.
The US State Department made the pilot programme permanent after concluding it effectively
reduced overstays and strengthened immigration rule adherence. No official explanation has been provided for Pakistan’s exemption from the bond programme.
