The U.S. Department of State has permanently implemented a mandatory bond program for obtaining tourist and business visas, with amounts reaching up to $20,000, effective from this Monday.
According to EFE, nationals from approximately 50 countries, including Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Grenada, are impacted by this measure, with these being the only four nations from the Americas on the list.
Officially published on August 1 in the Federal Register, the rule took effect on August 3, 2026. Consular officials now have the authority to set bond amounts at $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 depending on each applicant's situation.
Applicants must pay the bond before processing a B-1/B-2 tourist or business visa. The U.S. government has stated that these funds will be managed jointly by the Department of the Treasury and the Department of State, and will be refunded once the traveler leaves the U.S. within the time allowed by their visa.
The Trump administration introduced this measure as a tool to curb visa overstays, which is the act of remaining in the U.S. beyond the allocated time.
Cuba recorded an overstay rate of 17.08% in the fiscal year 2023, as reported by the Department of Homeland Security, which justified its inclusion in the program.
Initially launched as a pilot on August 20, 2025, with 13 countries and bond amounts ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, the program has evolved. Cuba and Venezuela were added to the list on January 21, 2026, followed by Nicaragua on April 2, 2026. The permanent rule removes the previous $5,000 minimum and raises the maximum to $20,000.
In its first year, the program identified around 20,000 applications requiring bonds, with nearly half of the applicants opting out of the visa process altogether. This initiative led to an 83% decrease in tourist and business visas issued in the affected countries.
Among those who paid the bond and traveled, 97% returned home within the authorized period. During the first ten months of the pilot, fewer than 50 overstays were reported from these nations, compared to nearly 45,500 in 2024.
Most countries impacted are African—about 30 out of the 50—prompting criticism from migrant advocacy groups. These organizations argue that the bonds create a financial barrier to legal entry channels into the U.S., disproportionately affecting citizens from poorer and predominantly Black nations.
The bond payment must be made exclusively through the official Pay.gov portal, without intermediaries.
The complete list of countries subject to this program is available on Travel.State.gov and may be updated with at least 15 days' notice, allowing for the potential addition of new countries in the future.
Understanding the U.S. Visa Bond Program
What is the purpose of the U.S. visa bond program?
The U.S. visa bond program aims to deter visa overstays by requiring applicants from certain countries to pay a bond before obtaining a tourist or business visa. The bond is refunded once the traveler leaves the U.S. on time.
Which countries are affected by the U.S. visa bond program?
Approximately 50 countries are affected, including Cuba, Nicaragua, Venezuela, and Grenada from the Americas. The majority of impacted countries are African.
How does the bond amount vary for U.S. visas?
The bond amount can be set at $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000, determined by U.S. consular officials based on each applicant's circumstances.
How are the bond funds managed and refunded?
The bond funds are managed by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Department of State. They are refunded to the traveler once they leave the U.S. within the authorized visa period.