In a news item published on January 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (DoS) has updated the list of countries whose nationals may be required to post a visa bond when applying for a visitor visa (B-1/B-2 for business or tourism). This update is part of a Temporary Final Rule and visa bond pilot program, which is effective from August 20, 2025, until August 5, 2026.
Citizens of the countries listed below, who are otherwise found eligible for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, may be required to submit a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance. The exact amount is determined by a consular officer during the visa interview.
Visa applicants will also be asked to complete the Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and must pay the bond through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov portal only after direction from a consular officer. Payments made without this direction or through third-party sites will not be refunded.
The visa bond requirement is based on nationality and applies regardless of the individual's place of visa application.
The bond will be automatically refunded if the B-1/B-2 visa holder:
- departs the U.S. on or before the date they are authorized to stay,
- does not travel to the U.S. before their visa expires, or
- is denied admission at the port of entry.
As a condition of the visa bond, travelers who posted a bond must enter and exit the United States through designated ports of entry. Please refer to the DoS announcement for a list of airports designated as ports of entry for this pilot program.
Countries Subject to Visa Bonds
Visa bonds are required for nationals of these countries applying for B-1/B-2 visas (the implementation dates are in parentheses):
- Algeria (January 21, 2026)
- Angola (January 21, 2026)
- Antigua and Barbuda (January 21, 2026)
- Bangladesh (January 21, 2026)
- Benin (January 21, 2026)
- Bhutan (January 1, 2026)
- Botswana (January 1, 2026)
- Burundi (January 21, 2026)
- Cabo Verde (January 21, 2026)
- Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
- Cote D’Ivorie (January 21, 2026)
- Cuba (January 21, 2026)
- Djibouti (January 21, 2026)
- Dominica (January 21, 2026)
- Fiji (January 21, 2026)
- Gabon (January 21, 2026)
- The Gambia (October 11, 2025)
- Guinea (January 1, 2026)
- Guinea Bissau (January 1, 2026)
- Kyrgyzstan (January 21, 2026)
- Malawi (August 20, 2025)
- Mauritania (October 23, 2025)
- Namibia (January 1, 2026)
- Nepal (January 21, 2026)
- Nigeria (January 21, 2026)
- Sao Tome and Principe (October 23, 2025)
- Senegal (January 21, 2026)
- Tajikistan (January 21, 2026)
- Tanzania (October 23, 2025)
- Togo (January 21, 2026)
- Tonga (January 21, 2026)
- Turkmenistan (January 1, 2026)
- Tuvalu (January 21, 2026)
- Uganda (January 21, 2026)
- Vanuatu (January 21, 2026)
- Venezuela (January 21, 2026)
- Zambia (August 20, 2025)
- Zimbabwe (January 21, 2026)
OISS Guidance
Please note that this pilot program is only for B-1/B-2 visa applicants. This policy does not apply to F-1, J-1, H-1B, or other nonimmigrant visa categories at this time.
The pilot program will affect visitors to our campus who are traveling to the U.S. for short-term, temporary purposes. Examples of these visitors might include, but are not limited to:
- Parents, grandparents, and other family members visiting our students or scholars
- Friends or relatives attending commencements or other university events
- Visitors invited to campus for academic or professional activities appropriate for B-1/B-2 status (e.g., guest lectures, conferences, workshops, short-term consultations)
- Students coming for non-credit-bearing summer enrichment programs
Please note that visitor visas (B-1/B-2) are not sponsored by the University. As a result, OISS cannot provide legal advice or individualized case guidance related to visitor visa applications, visa bond determinations, or consular decisions. That said, we are happy to field general questions and:
- Help you understand how this policy may affect parents, family members, or invited visitors
- Discuss appropriate visa classifications for short-term academic or personal visits
- Assist departments with questions related to visitors from impacted countries coming to campus
- Direct individuals to official government resources and publicly available guidance
We encourage students, scholars, and departments to contact OISS early if they anticipate inviting visitors or family members who may be impacted, so we can help identify relevant resources and planning considerations.
