Last reviewed September 2026
Overview: A permanent State Department rule effective August 3, 2026 requires nationals of roughly 50 designated countries, mostly in Africa, to post a refundable bond of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 as a condition of B-1/B2 visa issuance, along with single-entry validity, a 30-day maximum stay, and travel through designated ports of entry only. Applicants from countries not on that list continue through the ordinary B-1/B2 process described in the main visitor visa guide, with no bond, standard multi-entry validity where reciprocity allows, and no port-of-entry restriction.
What changed in August 2026
A pilot version of the visa bond concept had existed on a smaller scale before, but the rule that took effect August 3, 2026 made the program permanent and set the current bond tiers. It applies specifically to B-1/B2 visitor visa applicants from designated countries, not to every nonimmigrant visa category.
Which nationalities are currently designated
The designated list currently runs to roughly 50 countries, weighted heavily toward African nations, based on State Department assessments of visa overstay rates and other risk factors. This list is reviewed periodically and can change with as little as 15 days' notice, so it should never be assumed static from one application cycle to the next.
The bond amounts and how they're set
Bond amounts are set at $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 depending on the specific determination for the applicant's case, with $15,000 reported as the most commonly assessed amount. The bond is refundable if the traveler complies with the terms of their admission, including departing on time.
Extra conditions that come with a bond visa
Beyond the bond itself, an applicant subject to this program generally receives a single-entry visa rather than a multi-entry one, a maximum authorized stay of 30 days rather than the longer stays sometimes available under standard B-1/B2 issuance, and a requirement to enter and exit only through specific designated ports of entry.
How this differs from a standard B-1/B2 issuance
An applicant from a country not on the designated list applies through the same DS-160 and interview process, but faces none of these additional conditions: no bond, generally multi-entry validity subject to normal reciprocity terms, and no restriction to specific ports of entry. The underlying B-1/B2 eligibility standard, business or tourism purpose, is identical either way; the bond program adds a financial and logistical layer on top of it for designated nationals only.
What happens to the bond money
The bond is intended to be returned once the applicant demonstrates compliance with the terms of their admission, most importantly departing the United States within the authorized period. Failure to comply puts the bond at risk of forfeiture in addition to the immigration consequences of an overstay.
Checking current designation status before applying
Given how frequently this list and its terms can change, anyone applying from a country that might be affected should confirm current designation status directly against the Federal Register notice and current State Department guidance before scheduling an interview, rather than relying on outdated reporting.
Official sources
Related reading
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