U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program Begins: Are Indian Travelers Required to Pay $15,000?
Washington, D.C., August 21, 2025 – The United States launched a 12-month visa bond pilot program on August 20, 2025, targeting travelers from select countries applying for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas. The program, aimed at curbing visa overstays, requires certain applicants to post refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance. As the initiative begins, a key question for many is whether Indian travelers, a significant group of U.S. visitors, will be affected by this new requirement.
Program Details and Objectives
Announced by the U.S. Department of State on August 5, 2025, and published in the Federal Register, the visa bond pilot program is designed to ensure compliance with visa terms, particularly timely departure from the U.S. The initiative targets nationals from countries with high visa overstay rates, deficient screening and vetting processes, or those offering citizenship-by-investment programs without residency requirements. Consular officers have discretion to set bond amounts based on applicants’ personal circumstances, such as employment, income, and travel purpose, with a minimum of $5,000 and a preference for $10,000 in most cases.
The program, effective from August 20, 2025, to August 5, 2026, requires visa holders to enter and exit through designated U.S. airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport, which are equipped to track departures automatically, often via facial recognition technology. Bonds are refunded if travelers comply with visa terms, such as departing before their authorized stay expires, not seeking unauthorized employment, or not applying for status adjustments like asylum. Non-compliance results in forfeiture of the bond.
The State Department estimates that approximately 2,000 visa applicants will be affected during the pilot, with a total initial cost of $20 million if the average bond is $10,000. The program is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement strategy, which includes a June 2025 travel ban on 19 countries and a $250 “visa integrity fee” for non-immigrant visa applicants starting October 1, 2025. A similar pilot was proposed in November 2020 but was not fully implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on global travel.
Countries Targeted: Malawi and Zambia
The State Department has identified Malawi and Zambia as the initial countries subject to the visa bond requirement, based on their high B-1/B-2 visa overstay rates reported in the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2023 Overstay Report. According to the report, Malawi had a 14.32% overstay rate by land and 4.17% by air, while Zambia’s rate exceeded 10%. Applicants from these countries must submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 via the Treasury Department’s Pay.gov platform to post the bond, regardless of where they apply for their visa.
The State Department has indicated that the list of affected countries may be updated during the pilot, with at least 15 days’ notice provided via Travel.State.Gov. Criteria for inclusion include high overstay rates, inadequate vetting processes, and concerns over citizenship-by-investment programs. Other countries with notable overstay rates, such as Haiti (31%), Myanmar (27%), and Yemen (20%), may also be considered for inclusion, though no additions have been confirmed as of August 21, 2025.
Are Indian Travelers Affected?
As of the program’s launch, Indian nationals are not required to post visa bonds. The FY 2023 Overstay Report indicates that India had a relatively low B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 1.29%, with 3,822 overstays recorded out of a large volume of travelers. This rate is significantly lower than those of Malawi, Zambia, and other high-risk countries like Chad and Laos. Consequently, India does not currently meet the criteria for inclusion in the pilot program, which focuses on nations with overstay rates exceeding 10% or other vetting deficiencies.
However, the fluid nature of the program means that India could be added if its overstay rate increases or if other criteria, such as foreign policy considerations, are applied. The State Department’s authority to amend the country list with 15 days’ notice has raised concerns among Indian travelers and advocacy groups about potential future inclusion, especially given the high volume of Indian visitors to the U.S. for business, tourism, and family visits.
Implications and Concerns
The visa bond program has sparked mixed reactions. The U.S. Travel Association estimates that the program’s scope is limited, affecting only about 2,000 applicants from countries with low travel volumes to the U.S. However, critics argue that the financial burden of posting up to $15,000, even if refundable, could deter legitimate travelers, particularly from lower-income backgrounds. This could disproportionately affect families and small businesses, potentially straining U.S. tourism and international partnerships.
Immigration advocates, such as those from Boundless, have raised concerns about equity and access, noting that the upfront cost may create an uneven system favoring wealthier travelers. Technical issues with departure tracking systems could also lead to wrongful bond forfeitures, adding complexity for applicants unfamiliar with U.S. processes. Furthermore, the program may strain diplomatic relations if affected countries impose reciprocal restrictions on American travelers.
For Indian travelers, the program’s current exclusion is a relief, but the $250 visa integrity fee, effective October 1, 2025, will apply to all non-immigrant visa applicants, including those from India. This fee, combined with existing visa costs, could increase the financial burden for Indian visitors, potentially impacting travel plans.
Historical Context and Broader Immigration Policy
The visa bond pilot aligns with the Trump administration’s focus on immigration enforcement, building on policies like the June 2025 travel ban affecting 19 countries and enhanced social media vetting for student visa applicants. The administration views the program as a “diplomatic tool” to encourage foreign governments to improve screening and reduce overstay rates. In 2023, the Department of Homeland Security reported over 500,000 suspected visa overstays, with 42% of the estimated 11 million unauthorized immigrants in the U.S. having initially entered on valid visas.
The 2020 pilot, which targeted 24 countries, primarily in Africa, was abandoned due to logistical challenges and reduced travel during the pandemic. The current program’s focus on operational feasibility will test the processing and refunding of bonds, with results potentially shaping future visa policies.
What Indian Travelers Should Know
For now, Indian nationals applying for B-1/B-2 visas are exempt from the bond requirement. However, they should:
- Monitor Travel.State.Gov for updates on the program’s country list.
- Prepare for the $250 visa integrity fee starting October 1, 2025.
- Ensure compliance with visa terms, as overstays could increase scrutiny on Indian applicants in future iterations of the program.
- Consult immigration attorneys for guidance if planning travel during the pilot period.
The U.S. Embassy in India has not issued specific advisories regarding the pilot but encourages applicants to review visa requirements carefully. With India being a major source of U.S. visitors—contributing significantly to the $200 billion annual tourism industry—the program’s expansion could have notable economic implications.
Looking Ahead
As the visa bond pilot unfolds, its effectiveness in reducing overstays and its impact on U.S. tourism and diplomacy will be closely watched. For Indian travelers, staying informed about potential changes to the program is crucial. The State Department’s commitment to transparency, with updates posted on Travel.State.Gov, offers a resource for tracking developments. Meanwhile, the program underscores the ongoing tension between national security priorities and the economic benefits of international travel, a balance that will shape U.S. visa policy in the years ahead.
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