New bond rule impacts B-1 and B-2 visa applicants from CBI nations and overstay-prone countries
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of State has launched a US visa bond pilot that will run for 12 months, allowing consular officers to require certain B-1 and B-2 visa applicants to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The temporary final rule, published on August 5, 2025, targets applicants from countries with high overstay rates, inadequate vetting systems, or active CBI programs lacking residency requirements.
According to the regulation published in the Federal Register on August 5, the pilot will run through August 5, 2026, and applies exclusively to B-1/B-2 visa applicants, commonly used for business and tourism.
US visa bond pilot could impact Caribbean, CBI nations
The pilot program grants consular officers discretionary authority to determine whether a visa bond is necessary based on an applicant’s nationality and personal circumstances. The rule outlines three potential bond amounts: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with $10,000 set as the default. Officers may require a higher or lower bond based on an applicant’s financial profile, travel intent, and perceived overstay risk.
The Department of State emphasized that the pilot is intended to test the operational feasibility of managing visa bonds, which have historically been discouraged due to administrative burden. The program is also seen as a diplomatic tool to encourage governments to address overstay patterns and improve identity screening, particularly for countries with CBI programs that lack residency or vetting safeguards.
The launch of the US visa bond pilot follows a series of recent policy changes by the U.S. government aimed at tightening nonimmigrant visa procedures. Notably, the visa interview waiver program for Saint Lucia was recently suspended, requiring most B-1/B-2 applicants to attend in-person consular appointments, further increasing the burden on travelers from the region.
While the list of countries covered by the pilot has not yet been released, it will be posted on Travel.State.Gov at least 15 days before implementation. The list may be updated during the program’s duration, with similar notice requirements.
Bond requirement and process
If a consular officer determines an applicant falls within the pilot scope, the visa will be temporarily denied under section 221(g) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The applicant will then be given 30 days to submit a visa bond through the U.S. Treasury’s secure Pay.Gov platform using Form I-352.
Only after the bond is successfully posted will the visa be issued. The visa will be valid for a single entry and must be used within three months. Upon entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will typically grant a 30-day stay, and the traveler must both maintain lawful status and depart on time to avoid forfeiting the bond.
Bond cancellation and breach
Bonds will be refunded in full if the visa holder complies with all conditions, including timely departure and maintaining status. The refund process will be based on travel data from DHS’s Arrival and Departure Information System (ADIS) or by appointment at a U.S. consulate abroad, where travelers can present documents proving lawful departure.
If a traveler violates visa conditions, overstays, or fails to comply with the bond agreement, the bond will be deemed breached and forfeited. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security will finalize breach determinations, and visa holders will be informed of appeal procedures outlined in Form I-352 and DHS Form I-290B.
No public waiver process
There is no public application process for waiving the bond requirement. However, consular officers may recommend a waiver to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services in rare cases involving urgent humanitarian needs or U.S. government-sponsored travel. All waiver decisions are discretionary and based on national interest criteria.
Pilot scope and expected volume
The Department estimates the pilot will affect approximately 2,000 visa applicants over its 12-month duration. With the average bond set at $10,000, the total amount of bonds collected could reach $20 million, although all funds are refundable if travelers remain compliant.
The pilot is not intended to affect F-1 student visas, Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers, or nationals of Canada and Mexico, who are excluded from this regulation.
For continued updates on US visa policies, immigration changes, and regional travel developments, follow Unitedpac St Lucia News.
