State Department Nearly Triples Visa Bond Requirements
What Employers Need to Know Before January 21
The State Department announced a significant expansion of its visa bond policy on January 6, 2026, adding 25 countries to the program and bringing the total to 38 nations whose citizens must post bonds of up to $15,000 for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas. The new requirements take effect January 21, 2026, giving employers less than two weeks to assess the impact on their workforce and business operations.
The Financial Impact
Foreign nationals from affected countries seeking B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas must post refundable bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The exact amount is determined at the visa interview and must be paid through the Department of the Treasury’s Pay.gov platform before the visa is issued. Critically, payment of the bond does not guarantee visa approval.
This change means employers sponsoring business visitors from these 38 countries face significant new financial barriers. A single business trip that previously required only the standard visa application fee now demands an additional five-figure deposit. For companies regularly hosting international clients, vendors, or partners from affected nations, these costs compound quickly.
Which Countries Are Affected by the Visa Bond Requirements
Countries already subject to visa bonds (implemented between August 2025 and January 2026) include: Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia.
Strict Port of Entry Requirements
-
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
-
John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York
-
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
The visa bond policy operates under INA Section 221(g)(3) and the Temporary Final Rule establishing the pilot program. Applicants must submit the Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 upon a consular officer’s direction. The State Department emphasizes that applicants should only use the official Pay.gov link provided by the consular officer; third-party websites will not be recognized, and fees paid outside official channels will not be refunded.
The bond is returned only under specific conditions:
-
The visa application is denied.
-
DHS records confirm the visa holder departed the United States on or before their authorized stay date
-
The visa holder never traveled to the United States before the visa expired.
Companies that regularly bring international business visitors to the United States for conferences, training, client meetings, or vendor consultations face immediate planning challenges. The financial burden falls primarily on the visa applicant, but employers often absorb these costs or must reconsider whether in-person meetings remain cost-effective.
HR departments and immigration managers should take these immediate steps:
Review Current Business Travel Plans. Identify any scheduled visits from nationals of the 38 affected countries before or shortly after January 21. Factor in additional time for bond posting and potential delays in visa processing.
Assess Financial Impact. Calculate the cost implications if your company typically covers visa-related expenses for business visitors—budget for bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 per visitor.
Plan Around Port Requirements. Coordinate travel arrangements to ensure visitors can access Boston, New York JFK, or Washington Dulles. Direct flights to other U.S. cities are no longer viable for these travelers.
Document Compliance Procedures. Establish internal protocols to ensure business visitors understand departure requirements and timeline restrictions to avoid bond forfeiture.
Consider Alternatives
The visa bond pilot program launched in August 2025 is scheduled to run for 12 months. The State Department has indicated it will evaluate program effectiveness and may adjust country designations based on changing overstay data and diplomatic considerations. However, there is no indication that the program will be discontinued, and the recent expansion suggests that enforcement will intensify.
The January 21 deadline approaches quickly. Companies with international operations involving the 38 designated countries need to act now to understand how these requirements affect their business travel, client relationships, and operational costs. The financial and logistical barriers are substantial, and advance planning is essential.
-
U.S. Department of State, Countries Subject to Visa Bonds (updated January 6, 2026): https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html
-
Reuters, “U.S. adds more nations, including Venezuela, to costly visa bond policy” (January 7, 2026)
-