12/22/2025
Bond Requirement for visitor visas to the US (Updated list)
The U.S. Department of State is implementing a 12-month visa bond program, which applies to B1/B2 visa applicants. The program requires visa applicants to post a Maintenance of Status and Departure Bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 at the Consular Officer’s discretion, before visa issuance.
Those subject to the bond will be issued an annotated, single-entry visa with a 3-month validity period, to be admitted by CBP for a maximum period of 30 days only.
Not every visa applicant is subject to the bond requirement. As of December 17, 2025, the list of countries subject to the bonds and the effective date for each are:
Bhutan (January 1, 2026)
Botswana (January 1, 2026)
Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
Guinea (January 1, 2026)
Guinea Bissau (January 1, 2026)
Namibia (January 1, 2026)
Turkmenistan (January 1, 2026)
Mauritania (October 23, 2025)
Sao Tome and Principe (October 23, 2025)
Tanzania (October 23, 2025)
The Gambia (October 11, 2025)
Malawi (August 20, 2025)
Zambia (August 20, 2025)
The bond requirement applies regardless of the place of application.
