If the United States is on your 2026 travel map—whether you’re planning a business visit, a tourist trip, a medical appointment, or a family meet-up—there’s a new phrase you’ll keep seeing on visa forums and travel updates: B1/B2 visa bonds.
And no, it’s not a “premium visa.” It’s not a shortcut. It’s not a new category.
It’s basically the U.S. saying: “For some visitor visa applicants, we may require a refundable security deposit before we issue the visa.”
Starting January 2026, this bond requirement has become applicable to more countries under a visa bond pilot program, and that change matters for anyone applying for a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism/medical) visa in 2026.
Let’s unpack what this actually means—and how to prepare without turning your visa plan into a stress hobby.
What Is a B-1/B-2 Visa Bond?
A visa bond is a refundable security deposit that some B-1/B-2 visa applicants may be required to pay in addition to the normal visa fee.
The purpose is simple: to reduce overstays.
So the bond works like a “compliance deposit”:
- If the traveler follows the visa rules and leaves the U.S. on time, the bond is designed to be returned.
- If the traveler overstays or violates visa terms, the bond may be forfeited.
Think of it like a high-stakes hotel deposit—except the “hotel” is the United States and the checkout time is very serious.
Bond Amounts: How Much Can It Be?
If a bond is required for your B-1/B-2 visa, the amount can be:
- $5,000
- $10,000
- $15,000
Yes, that’s a lot. And yes, it can change how you plan your budget. The bond is separate from your visa fee—and it’s required only if you are instructed to post it.
What Changed: “Now Applicable on More Countries Starting January 2026”
The big 2026 update is not that every visitor must pay a bond. It’s that the U.S. expanded the list of nationalities that can be subject to the bond requirement under the B-1/B-2 Visa Bond Pilot Program.
That means if your country is now listed, your B-1/B-2 application may come with an extra possible step: a bond requirement of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on what the consular officer determines at the interview.
This is important: Being from a listed country does not mean you will automatically pay a bond. It means the consular officer is authorized to require it in certain cases.
So it’s not “everyone pays.”
It’s “more applicants may be asked.”
Countries Subject to B-1/B-2 Visa Bonds (Including January 2026 Additions)
Here is the updated list of countries that may be subject to the B-1/B-2 visa bond requirement, with the expansion taking effect in January 2026 for many of them:
| New 2026 Addition Countries | Old Countries (Already Covered Before 2026) |
|---|---|
| Algeria | The Gambia |
| Angola | Malawi |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Zambia |
| Bangladesh | Mali |
| Benin | Mauritania |
| Bhutan | São Tomé and Príncipe |
| Botswana | Tanzania |
| Burundi | |
| Cabo Verde | |
| Central African Republic | |
| Côte d’Ivoire | |
| Cuba | |
| Djibouti | |
| Dominica | |
| Fiji | |
| Gabon | |
| Guinea | |
| Guinea-Bissau | |
| Kyrgyzstan | |
| Namibia | |
| Nepal | |
| Nigeria | |
| Senegal | |
| Tajikistan | |
| Togo | |
| Tonga | |
| Turkmenistan | |
| Tuvalu | |
| Uganda | |
| Vanuatu | |
| Venezuela | |
| Zimbabwe |
When Do You Pay the US Visa Bond?
This part saves people from expensive mistakes:
You do not pay anything upfront “to improve your chances.” You only pay a bond if:
- You attend your B-1/B-2 visa interview
- The consular officer tells you a bond is required
- You receive official instructions for posting it
- The bond is posted before the visa is issued
If anyone online suggests paying a bond before your interview, treat that like a “you just won a free iPhone” pop-up ad.
The Extra Rule Many People Miss: Airport Restrictions (Yes, Seriously)
If you are required to post a visa bond, you may also be required to enter and exit through designated airports.
This rule exists for one reason: clean compliance tracking. The U.S. wants entry and departure records to be crystal clear when a bond is involved.
So if your trip plan is “I’ll land wherever the ticket is cheapest and leave from another city,” a bond condition may push you into a more controlled travel route.
In simple terms:
If a bond applies, your itinerary becomes less “travel blogger” and more “airport-approved.”
Is this USA Visa Bond Amount Refundable?
Yes, the B-1/B-2 visa bond is intended to be refundable, provided the applicant fully complies with the visa conditions. In normal circumstances, travelers who enter the United States lawfully, remain only for the period authorized, and depart the country on or before the permitted date should be able to have their bond returned once their departure is properly recorded in the system. However, if a visitor overstays, violates the terms of the visa, or fails to comply with entry and exit requirements, the bond may be forfeited and not returned.
Why US Universities and Institutions Are Posting These Updates?
You might wonder why a university would post visa bond updates at all.
Simple: universities host huge numbers of international visitors who enter the U.S. on B-1/B-2 visas—parents visiting students, guest lecturers, conference participants, short-term academic visitors, and medical-related visitors.
They share these updates so visitors don’t get caught off guard by:
- Unexpected bond requirements
- Travel routing conditions
- Last-minute cost surprises.
References
- https://immigration.columbia.edu/news/b-1b-2-visa-bonds
- https://oiss.yale.edu/news/the-department-of-state-expands-visa-bond-list-for-b-1b-2-visas
- https://www.bu.edu/isso/2026/01/05/b-1-visa-bond-pilot-program-announced/
- https://drexel.edu/studentlife/student-success/international-student-support/announcements/2026/January/New-Visa-Bond-Requirement-for-Certain-B-1-B-2-Visa-Applicants
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html.