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Visas: Visa Bond Program

CategoriesB-1/B-2Policy
Signals
Negative sentiment
Medium impact
Fed. Register
Final rule
Summary

Informational only, not legal advice. Confirm deadlines on the official notice or with a qualified professional.

The State Department is establishing a permanent visa bond program for B-1/B-2 temporary visitor visa applicants. Consular officers may now require certain nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond to ensure they maintain their status and depart the United States as required. This rule finalizes a 12-month pilot program that began in August 2025.
Full official notice
Fed. Register

Authoritative text and filing details are always on the publisher’s site.

Document info
TypeRule
SourceFed. Register
PublishedAugust 3, 2026

This rule finalizes the temporary final rule that went into effect on August 20, 2025, which launched a 12-month long Visa Bond Pilot Program (Pilot Program), and establishes a permanent visa bond program. An alien applying for a visa as a temporary visitor for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) may be required to submit a bond ("visa bond") to ensure that the alien maintains his or her nonimmigrant status and departs as required. Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to

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May 2026

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