How the New Pilot Works

The US Tourist Visa Bond Program is a policy requiring certain applicants to post a refundable financial bond worth at least $5,000 as a condition for entering the United States.

This US tourist visa bond is meant to discourage overstays and ensure compliance with visa rules.

In this article, we cover:

• How does the US visa bond rule work?
• How much is the US visa bond?
• What countries are on the US visa bond list?
• What are the requirements for getting a US visa?
• Why is it so hard to get a us tourist visa?

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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

What are the US Tourist Visa Bond Program details?

The US Tourist Visa Bond Program was officially announced by the Department of State in August 2025 as a 12-month pilot requiring certain B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa applicants to post a refundable bond ranging from USD 5,000 to 15,000.

The default amount is USD 10,000, though consular officers can adjust the bond depending on an applicant’s profile.

The bond is refunded if the traveler complies with all visa conditions and departs the US on time but is forfeited in cases of overstay or violation.

Payments are made through the US Treasury’s pay.gov portal and canceled upon verified departure.

Key details of the 2025 program:

• Eligibility – Applies only to travelers from countries flagged for high overstay rates and weaker screening systems.
• Stricter Entry Conditions – Visas under the bond scheme are valid for 3 months only, allow single entry, and limit stays to 30 days.
• Designated Ports of Entry – Travelers must enter through specific airports: Boston Logan (BOS), New York JFK, or Washington Dulles (IAD).
• Residency Compliance – Bonded visitors must prove departure through official exit records, and errors could risk wrongful forfeiture.
• Background – This program revives a 2020 proposal blocked by the pandemic and forms part of broader immigration tightening, alongside a new $250 visa integrity fee for most nonimmigrant visas.

The policy is discretionary—not every applicant is required to pay a bond—and will be reviewed after one year to determine whether it becomes permanent or expanded to more countries.

Who needs to pay the US visa bond?

Not every tourist visa applicant will be subject to the bond program. In practice, the bond program targets specific groups where the government wants financial assurance of compliance.

It is typically applied to:

• Nationals from countries on the US government’s high overstay list
  The Department of State publishes data on countries with historically high overstay rates, and applicants from these nations may be automatically subject to additional scrutiny and bond requirements.
• Applicants with limited or no prior international travel history
  First-time travelers or those who cannot demonstrate a record of compliance with visa conditions in other countries may be flagged as higher risk.
• Individuals assessed by consular officers as higher-risk applicants
  Even if not from a listed country, consular officers have discretion to require a bond based on factors such as weak ties to the home country, inconsistent financial documents, or unclear travel plans.

US tourist visa bond countries

As of 2025, the US visa bond pilot program applies only to Malawi and Zambia. Nationals of these two countries who apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa (business or tourist) may be required to post a refundable bond before receiving the visa.

The US may expand the program to other countries during the one-year pilot, but at least 15 days’ public notice must be given before any new countries are added.

How much is the US tourist visa fee?

The standard US tourist visa application fee is USD 185 (as of 2025).

This fee is separate from any potential visa bond, which applies only in specific cases. The application fee is non-refundable, even if your visa is denied.

What do I need to get a US tourist visa?

To apply for a US B-2 tourist visa, you must complete several standard requirements:

• DS-160 form – Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application and upload a passport-style photo.
• Valid passport – Must be valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay in the US.
• Visa fee payment – Pay the non-refundable visa application fee before scheduling your interview.
• Visa appointment and interview – Schedule and attend an interview at a US consulate or embassy. During the interview, a consular officer will evaluate your purpose of travel, financial capacity, and intent to return home.
• Supporting documents – Commonly requested documents include bank statements, employment letters, tax returns, property deeds, or school enrollment certificates. These help establish your financial stability.
• Travel plans – A tentative travel itinerary or hotel bookings may strengthen your application.
• Proof of ties to your home country – Strong ties (such as family, stable employment, property ownership, or ongoing studies) are crucial in proving you will leave the US after your authorized stay.

If your application falls under the bond program, you’ll be notified and required to post the bond before visa issuance.

Is US tourist visa easy to get?

No, a US tourist visa is not easy to get, as approval depends on your nationality, travel history, and ability to prove strong ties to your home country.

• Overall Approval Rates: In 2024, the refusal rate for visitor visas was about 27.8%, meaning the average global approval rate was just over 72%.
• Country Differences:
  • India: Approval fell from 93.5% in 2022 to 83.7% in 2024.
  • China: Increased slightly, from 69.6% in 2022 to 74.6% in 2024.
  • Russia: Dropped sharply to 61.4% in 2024, down from 73.8% in 2022.
• New Restrictions Effective June 9, 2025: The US Department of State announced sweeping visa suspensions under the Presidential Proclamation on “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.”
  • Full Suspension: No visas (immigrant or nonimmigrant) for nationals of Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen, with limited humanitarian and official exceptions.
  • Partial Suspension: Nationals of Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela face bans on B-1/B-2 tourist visas, F, M, and J visas, and most immigrant visas, again with exceptions for close relatives of US citizens, adoptions, and cases of national interest.

How can I increase my chances of getting a US tourist visa?

How do you prove strong ties for tourist visa in the US?

Strong ties are critical for convincing consular officers that you intend to return home after your visit. The more categories of evidence you can provide, the stronger your case. It’s not just about presenting documents but about painting a complete picture of your life and responsibilities outside the US.

Examples include:

• Employment Evidence
  Job contracts, recent payslips, or letters from employers confirming your position and approved vacation leave. Long-term or stable employment signals that you have a reason to return.
• Property Ownership or Housing Commitments
  Real estate deeds, mortgage statements, or long-term lease agreements show that you maintain a residence and financial investment at home.
• Family and Social Ties
  Marriage certificates, records of dependent children, or proof of elderly care responsibilities highlight that your close family relies on your presence. Family obligations are among the strongest indicators of return intent.
• Financial and Business Commitments
  Bank statements, proof of loans, shareholding records, or business ownership documents illustrate ongoing financial responsibilities that require your presence. For entrepreneurs and investors, showing an active role in managing a company strengthens your case.
• Educational Enrollments
  If you or your children are enrolled in schools or universities, official enrollment letters can serve as proof of ties.
• Community or Professional Involvement
  Membership in professional associations, community leadership roles, or ongoing contracts with local organizations demonstrate ongoing engagement with your country.

Conclusion

The US Tourist Visa Bond Program introduces a financial safeguard to ensure compliance with visa rules, but it only applies to select applicants identified as higher risk.

While most travelers will continue paying only the standard application fee, those falling under the bond program must prepare for significant upfront costs and stricter entry conditions.

With the recent changes announced in 2025, it is more important than ever for applicants to understand the new requirements, prove strong ties to their home country, and plan their travel carefully.

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Adam is an internationally recognised author on financial matters with over 830million answer views on Quora, a widely sold book on Amazon, and a contributor on Forbes.