August 4, 2026 · Program update

Visa bond pilot results: overstays from bond countries fell from 45,488 to fewer than 50

The final rule that made the Visa Bond Program permanent also published the pilot's results — and they are striking. In fiscal year 2024, before the pilot, there were 45,488 overstays from the 50 countries now covered by the program. In the first ten months of the pilot, the number of overstays from those same countries fell to fewer than 50.

Roughly 20,000 B1/B2 visa applications were determined to require a bond during the pilot, and close to half of those resulted in a posted bond — about $115 million temporarily deposited with the U.S. Treasury.

The State Department concluded the pilot proved bonds are an effective compliance tool, and made the program permanent effective August 3, 2026, with bond amounts of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000.

The practical takeaway for travelers: bonded visitors overwhelmingly comply and their bonds are cancelled on departure. With VisaBond acting as the obligor, you get the same outcome without locking up your own cash — one upfront fee, and the bond itself is our responsibility to fund.

Countries added August 4, 2026

What this means for applicants

• At your B1/B2 visa interview, the consular officer may require a bond of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 before your visa can be issued.
• The visa stays refused under INA 221(g) until the bond is posted — the sooner it's posted, the sooner the visa can be issued.
• The bond is filed via DHS Form I-352 and paid through the U.S. Treasury's Pay.gov.
• Bond holders must enter and exit the U.S. through commercial airports; the bond is automatically cancelled when you depart on time.
• You don't have to lock up the money yourself — VisaBond posts the bond for you for a one-time fee.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Countries Subject to Visa Bonds.