On August 3rd, 2026, local time, the U.S. Department of State officially introduced the newVisa Bond Programme (visa guarantee scheme)I DON'T KNOW. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE FINAL RULES, THE “PILOT SCHEME”, WHICH HAD BEEN IN OPERATION FOR ALMOST A YEAR, WAS TRANSFORMED INTO A PERMANENT POLICY. IN THE FUTURE, SOME B-1 BUSINESS VISAS, B-2 TRAVEL VISAS AND B-1/B-2 BUSINESS TOURISM VISA APPLICANTS FROM DESIGNATED COUNTRIES MAY BE REQUIRED TO PAY A BOND TO THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT BEFORE THE VISA IS GRANTED. THE AMOUNTS ARE DIVIDED INTO THREE TRANCHES:$10,000, $15,000 and $20,000I don't know. The United States Department of State has made it clear that the system is not an interim measure and will remain in place for a long time。
From pilot to permanent: no reverse threshold
This policy did not suddenly emerge this year. In August 2025, the United States launched the one-year Visa Bond Pilot Programme for countries that have been identified as having high visa overstay rates, insufficient identity-sharing or risk of document review. The bond slots at the time were: $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000。
After almost a year of piloting, the United States Department of State has decided to formally convert to a permanent system from 3 August 2026, thereby eliminating the minimum 5,000 dollar tranche and adjusting the bond threshold to:
$10,000
$15,000Consular officers usually think first
$20,000
If the applicant ' s personal circumstances indicate that the amount of $15,000 is still insufficient to ensure his or her scheduled departure, it can be increased to $20,000, or set at $10,000 if, for example, he or she is financially fit for a lower amount. In determining the amount, consular officers take into account the purpose of travel, work, income, skills, educational background and contacts in the United States。
Which countries are involved? China is out of the list
To date, the list published by the United States Department of State covers 50 countries, mainly in Africa, and includes some countries in Asia, the Caribbean and elsewhere. These include:
Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Côte d ' Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe。
Chinese passports are not currently on that listAS A RESULT, REGULAR UNITED STATES B-1/B-2 VISAS HAVE BEEN REQUESTED AND AT THIS STAGE NO GUARANTEE OF $10,000 TO $20,000 IS DIRECTLY REQUIRED UNDER THIS NEW REGULATION。
But the list is not static. The final rules make it clear that the United States Department of State may at any time add or delete countries based on factors such as visa pass rates, information sharing, identity checks, criminal records, document security and vetting capabilities. New countries will, in principleAt least 15 days in advanceI don't know。
How are the bonds refunded? What's to be confiscated
In accordance with the final rules, if the visa holder complies with the visa and entry conditions and leaves the country on time and within the allowed stay periodThe bond is refundableI DON'T KNOW. IF A VISA IS GRANTED THAT DOES NOT EVENTUALLY GO TO THE UNITED STATES, OR IF THE CBP REFUSES ENTRY AND CANCELS THE VISA AT THE TIME OF ENTRY, IT CAN ALSO BE RETURNED SUBJECT TO COMPLIANCE。
Refunds are in principle returned to the payment account, but the bond itself is not interest-bearing。
However, once it happensOverstayorViolation of identity conditionsIn such cases, the bond will be deemed to be in violation of Bond's conditionConfiscationRisk。
Entry and exit patterns and visa validity are restricted
The U.S. Final Rules make it clear that passengers subject to Visa Bond must be eligibleCommercial air portsEntry into and departure from the United States (including the CBP Preclerance site)Not by land, sea or ordinary non-commercial air transportFinal entry and exit。
At the same time, the validity of such visas may be shortened. According to the rules, visas may be issued as3 months single, 3 months multiple or up to 12 months multiple entryDepending on the visa reciprocity arrangement。
Thus, the visa guarantee system not only increases the funding threshold, but also strengthens entry and exit controls and time limits。
Pilot data: visa issuance decreased by 83 per cent and overdue by less than 50 per cent Example
In its final rules, the United States Department of State disclosed a set of data of concern:
During the pilot period, total50 countriesAs part of the Visa Bond programme, approximately 20,000 visa applications were required to pay a bond。
But closeHalf the applicants eventually chose not to pay the bondI don't know。
BY JULY 2026, THE NUMBER OF B-1/B-2 VISAS ISSUED BY THOSE COUNTRIES HAD DECLINED BY ABOUT 83 PER CENT COMPARED TO THE SAME PERIOD BEFORE THE PILOT。
At the same time, these 50 countries appeared in 202445,488 overdue visas, in the first 10 months of pilot implementation, involving the overdue number of deposit passengersLess than 50 casesI don't know。
It is for this reason that the United States Department of State considered the visa bond to have a clear effect on reducing delays and decided to perpetuate it。
Trend signals: visa management is becoming more stringent
The logic of managing non-immigrant visas in the United States is shifting from social media censorship to visa interview requirements to the perpetuation of the Visa Bond system。
For those who plan to apply for United States visas in the futureWork, income, family ties, travel purposes, entry and exit recordsIt may become increasingly crucial to prove that they will leave within the time frame。
Although China is not currently on the list, the dynamic adjustment mechanism of the list means that applicants from any country should not be taken lightly. Advance planning, adequate preparation of materials, proof of self-bindingness and willingness to return to the country will always be the best guarantee for successful signing。