The United States has designated 50 countries whose citizens may be required to post visa bonds of up to $20,000 before being granted tourist and business visas, with India notably exempt from the requirement while South Asian neighbours Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal are on the list.
The US State Department released a revised country list on Friday. Under the programme, nationals of the listed countries applying for B1/B2 visas may be required to deposit a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, with the exact figure fixed by a consular officer during the visa interview, according to the department.
How the programme works
The programme operates under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows a consular officer to require a bond before issuing a visa. It was established through a final rule that took effect on August 3, and countries are selected based on B1/B2 visa overstay rates recorded in the Department of Homeland Security's Entry/Exit Overstay Report.
Affected applicants must file DHS Form I-352 and consent to the bond conditions through Pay.gov, the US Treasury's online payment platform. The State Department has cautioned applicants to post a bond only after a consular officer directs them to do so, warning against premature transactions. Posting a bond does not guarantee a visa will be issued.
Who is affected
India remains exempt under the current list. Among South Asian nations, Nepal and Bangladesh have faced the mandate since January 21, while Bhutan was added from January 1. The remaining listed countries span Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Pacific. Analysts say the rule marks one of the most aggressive financial barriers the US has erected against visa overstays, with significant potential impact on travel from lower-income countries.
Sources:
The Hindu BusinessLine (ANI): US visa bonds apply to 50 countries, India excluded
The US State Department released a revised country list on Friday. Under the programme, nationals of the listed countries applying for B1/B2 visas may be required to deposit a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, with the exact figure fixed by a consular officer during the visa interview, according to the department.
How the programme works
The programme operates under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows a consular officer to require a bond before issuing a visa. It was established through a final rule that took effect on August 3, and countries are selected based on B1/B2 visa overstay rates recorded in the Department of Homeland Security's Entry/Exit Overstay Report.
Affected applicants must file DHS Form I-352 and consent to the bond conditions through Pay.gov, the US Treasury's online payment platform. The State Department has cautioned applicants to post a bond only after a consular officer directs them to do so, warning against premature transactions. Posting a bond does not guarantee a visa will be issued.
Who is affected
India remains exempt under the current list. Among South Asian nations, Nepal and Bangladesh have faced the mandate since January 21, while Bhutan was added from January 1. The remaining listed countries span Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Pacific. Analysts say the rule marks one of the most aggressive financial barriers the US has erected against visa overstays, with significant potential impact on travel from lower-income countries.
Sources:
The Hindu BusinessLine (ANI): US visa bonds apply to 50 countries, India excluded
