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US Imposes Up to $20,000 Visa Bond for 50 Countries; India Spared, Neighbors Affected.
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News18•03-10-2026, 15:42
US Imposes Up to $20,000 Visa Bond for 50 Countries; India Spared, Neighbors Affected.
- •The US has introduced a visa bond of up to $20,000 for citizens of 50 countries seeking business and tourist visas; India is exempt.
- •Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Nepal from South Asia are on the list, while Indian passport holders are not required to pay this bond.
- •The bond amount, determined by a consular officer, applies to B1/B2 visa applicants from listed nations.
- •The program aims to reduce overstays by individuals on temporary US visas, based on DHS overstay data.
- •Depositing the bond does not guarantee a visa, and violations of conditions will be referred to USCIS.
Key Questions Answered
No, India has been excluded from the new US visa bond rule, meaning Indian passport holders do not need to pay this deposit for business or tourist visas.
Applicants covered under the program may be asked by a consular officer to deposit a bond of $10,000, $15,000, or up to $20,000 before receiving a visa.
The US visa bond rule applies to South Asian countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan.
