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US Visa Bond Rule Covers 50 Countries; India Exempt
The United States has a rule that can ask some visitors to put down money when applying for a business or tourist visa.
The rule applies to eligible applicants whose passports are from one of 50 listed countries.
The bond can be $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, and a consular officer chooses the amount.
India is not on the list, but Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal are.
Applicants must wait for an officer to tell them to pay and use the official payment system.
Paying the bond does not mean a visa will be approved.
The money may be returned if the traveler follows the rules.
Bondholders must use designated commercial airports or preclearance locations to enter and leave the United States.
The US designated 50 countries whose eligible nationals may be required to post bonds for B1/B2 business and tourist visas.
A consular officer sets the bond at $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 during the visa interview.
India is not on the list; Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal are included, with implementation dates varying by country.
Applicants must wait for an officer’s instruction before filing DHS Form I-352 and paying through Pay.gov; a bond does not guarantee a visa.
Bondholders must use designated commercial airports or eligible preclearance locations and cannot enter or leave through land borders, seaports, charter flights or general aviation.
- Who
- Eligible B1/B2 visa applicants travelling on passports from the 50 designated countries; Indian passport holders are not included.
- What
- The US may require a visa bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000.
- Where
- The United States; the requirement applies regardless of where an affected applicant submits a visa application.
- When
- The State Department released a revised list on a Friday; the articles report publication on October 3, 2026. Country implementation dates vary.
- Why
- The programme is linked to B1/B2 visa overstay data and is intended to encourage temporary visitors to maintain their status and depart as required.
Key facts
- Countries covered
- 50
- Visa categories
- B1/B2 business and tourist visas
- Bond amounts
- $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, as set by a consular officer
- India
- Not included in the updated list
- South Asian countries included
- Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal
- Application and payment
- DHS Form I-352 and Pay.gov, only after a consular officer instructs the applicant to post a bond
- Legal basis and data
- Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act; the programme draws on DHS B1/B2 overstay statistics
- Travel conditions
- Bondholders must use designated commercial airports or eligible preclearance locations; land borders, seaports, charter flights and general aviation are barred.
Quotes
U.S. State Department
U.S. government department responsible for the visa-bond programme
“Applicants should submit Form I-352 to post a bond only after a consular officer directs them to do so.”
deccanchronicle.com
thehindubusinessline.com
Sources
US Visa Bond: Is India safe from $20,000 deposit rule? Check full list of 50 countries
$20,000 US visa bond rule: Should Indians be worried? Check the complete list of affected countries
US Visa Bond: India Exempt as 50 Countries Face Up to $20,000 Deposit
US visa bonds apply to 50 countries, India excluded
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