US Visa Bond Pilot Program Begins Today — Are Indian Travelers Required to Post $15,000 Bonds?

Effective Date: August 20, 2025

Duration: One-year pilot (ending approximately August 5-6, 2026) 

What’s Happening?

The U.S. State Department has launched a Visa Bond Pilot Program targeting visitors applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas. Under this initiative, consular officers may require applicants from certain countries to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, determined case by case. 

• The bond amount is set by the consular officer based on the applicant’s individual circumstances, including ties to their home country, income, purpose of travel, and whether the default $10,000 would be sufficient. 
• If the traveler leaves the U.S. on time and meets visa conditions, the bond is refunded. A breach or overstay leads to forfeiture of the bond. 

Which Countries Are Affected?

As of August 20, 2025, only citizens of Malawi and Zambia are subject to this requirement. These countries were selected based on high overstay rates and other vetting criteria outlined in the pilot rule. 

India is not impacted at this time. Its overstay rate is significantly lower than those of Malawi or Zambia, thus excluding Indian nationals from the pilot. 

How the Bond Process Works

1. Visa Interview: If you’re from a covered country, the consular officer may require a bond and will indicate the amount ($5K, $10K, or $15K). 
2. Form I-352 & Payment: You must complete Form I-352 (Maintenance of Status and Departure Bond) and pay via Pay.gov within 30 days to proceed. 
3. Visa Issuance: Upon payment verification, the visa is issued with a special bond annotation and is typically single-entry, valid for 3 months. 
4. Designated Airports: Bond-bearing travelers must enter and exit via specified U.S. airports, chosen for their ability to confirm departures (e.g., using advanced exit tracking systems like facial recognition). 
5. Refund Process: If all conditions are met, the bond is refunded. If not, it is forfeited to cover government costs. 

Summary Table

SEO-Friendly Headlines & Keywords to Incorporate

• Headlines:
  1. “US Visa Bond Pilot Program Kicks Off (Aug 20, 2025): Are Indian Travelers Affected?”
  2. “Visa Bond Requirement for B-1/B-2 Visas: What You Need to Know (and Why India Isn’t on the List)”
  3. “US Visa Bond Pilot Begins Today—Malawi & Zambia Only; No Impact on Indian Visitors”

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Final Takeaway

The U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program launched on August 20, 2025, only currently applies to citizens of Malawi and Zambia applying for B-1/B-2 visas. Indian travelers are not required to post bonds under this program. The bond—ranging from $5,000 to $15,000—is refundable if you follow visa terms, but forfeited if you overstay or breach conditions.