US visa bond rule for 50 countries includes India?
The US made its visa bond programme permanent for B-1 and B-2 visa applicants from 50 countries, with bond amounts up to $20,000.
The rule, effective August 3, 2026, applies to countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan, but not India.
The visa bond programme was first introduced as a pilot in 2025 to test whether bonds could reduce visa overstays; the permanent rule raises the maximum bond from $15,000 to $20,000 and removes the $5,000 option.
US President Donald Trump's administration implemented the measure as part of broader immigration enforcement, with consular officers determining bond amounts on a case-by-case basis.
Immigration advocates argue the policy could discourage genuine travellers, while the US State Department says it may add more countries to the programme in the future.
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