US Visa Bond Program Targets 50 Countries with Up to $20,000 Deposits
The US government has introduced a visa bond program that requires applicants from 50 countries to deposit up to $20,000 for tourist and business visas. The list of affected countries includes Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal from South Asia, while India is exempt.
The US State Department announced the revised list on Friday, stating that eligible applicants must submit Form I-352 and accept the bond terms through Pay.gov. However, applicants are warned not to pay the bond before receiving instructions from a consular officer.
The visa bond program was established under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, using B1/B2 visa overstay rates from the Department of Homeland Security's Entry/Exit Overstay Report. The exact bond amount will be determined by a consular officer during the B1/B2 visa interview.