US Visa Bond Countries 2026: Who Must Pay Up to $20,000 for a B1/B2 Visa? 

In 2026, 50 countries will require applicants to pay a financial bond in the range of $10,000 – $20,000 to be eligible for a US B1/B2 tourist/business visa. It is a visa bond program in the USA for countries that have high visa overstay rates, and India is not one of those countries. Here’s everything you need to know.

US imposes visa bonds of up to $20,000 on 50 countries; is India on the updated list?https://t.co/dcbJOaL2th

— Economic Times (@EconomicTimes) October 3, 2026

Quick Facts: US Visa Bond 2026

Detail	Info
Program authority	The provision of section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Visa types affected	Business/B2 Tourist (B1-B2)
Bond amounts	$10,000 / $15,000 / $20,000
Who determines how much?	To be passed through the consular office during the visa interview.
The extent to which the country is affected.	50
Does India feature among those countries?	No
Will the bond be returned?	Yes – when all the conditions of the bond are fulfilled
Payment method	DHS Form I-352 via Pay.gov

What Is the US Visa Bond Program? 

The US visa bond program calls for B1/B2 applicants from certain countries to put up a financial guarantee prior to getting a visa. This is not a visa fee; it is actually a refundable security deposit to ensure that you don’t stay here beyond the visa!

The amount of the bond ($10,000, $15,000, or $20,000) will be determined by a consular officer when the visa is interviewed, in reference to the information in the Entry/Exit Overstay Report published by the Department of Homeland Security. Posting the bond does not ensure the approval of the visa.

Which Countries Are on the US Visa Bond List 2026? 

The US visa bond list 2026 is a list of 50 countries in South Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia, and the Pacific. Bangladesh and Nepal have been under the mandate since 21st January, and Bhutan has been added since 1st January. There is a partial exemption for India.

US Visa Bond Countries — Region Snapshot

Region	Example Countries Included
South Asia	Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan
Africa	Several countries (see State Dept. index)
Caribbean	Included
Central Asia	Included
Pacific Islands	Included

How Does the US Visa Bond Work? 

• Visa interview – Consular officer decides if a bond is needed and how much it is.
• Form I-352 – The applicant (or a third party) files this DHS form.
• Pay.gov – Payment is via the US Treasury’s online payment platform.
• Travel restrictions – Bond holders will have to travel to and from the US only by commercial air. No general aviation, charters, seaports or land borders.
• Refund – Deposit will be returned to the party who deposited it if all bond conditions are completely met on departure.

Please note: Form I-352 and payments through Pay.gov will not be accepted until a consular officer expressly instructs you to do so.

Can Someone Else Pay the US Visa Bond? 

Yes. The 10,000 to 20,000 US visa bond can be paid by the applicant or by a third party such as a family member, friend or business associate. The refund is to be paid to the person who made the deposit, provided all of the following conditions are adhered to.

FAQs: US Visa Bond Countries 2026