U.S.: Will the visa bond program be expanded to include additional countries?

Just ten days after the United States permanently implemented its visa bond program for certain visitor visas, there are already growing indications that it may be expanded to include additional countries. In an interview, Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association, the leading organization in the U.S. travel industry, stated that he had heard indications that the so-called Visa Bond Program could include additional nationalities.

According to Freeman, there are already rumors that the program could be extended to other countries whose nationals require a visa—in the extreme case, even to all visa-required countries. He warned that such an expansion could have significant consequences for the U.S. economy and the travel industry, as potential visitors could be deterred by high financial requirements. However, there has been no official confirmation of an impending expansion to date; a statement from the relevant U.S. agency was still pending at the time of this report.

As of August 3, 2026, the visa bond system is no longer a pilot program but a permanent policy. It allows consular officers to require a bond before issuing certain B-1, B-2, or combined B-1/B-2 visas for business or tourism travel. The corresponding final regulation has been officially published and specifies three possible bond amounts: $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000.

The specific amount of the bond is determined by the respective consular officer based on the applicant’s individual circumstances. As a general rule, the bond is set at 15,000 U.S. dollars, with the option to reduce it to 10,000 U.S. dollars or increase it to 20,000 U.S. dollars depending on the individual case. Currently, nationals of 50 countries are affected by this regulation, including, among others, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Georgia, Nepal, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Venezuela.

It is also worth noting that the list of affected countries can be updated with only 15 days’ notice. This means that the situation for visa applicants from certain countries can change at short notice—without lengthy transition periods. Anyone who is a national of one of the countries already on the list or who fears they may be affected in the future should plan their trip accordingly, well in advance and with care.

In light of these developments, travelers wishing to enter the U.S. are advised to carefully assess which type of visa is appropriate for their individual circumstances. Depending on the country of origin and purpose of travel, different options may be available, such as a U.S. tourist visa or, if the requirements are met, the visa-waiver ESTA program. We handle the entire preparation and submission of the necessary documents for our clients to ensure that the application process runs smoothly despite any potential future changes.

Since the conditions for travelers requiring a visa to the U.S. are currently subject to rapid change, it’s worth reviewing the current costs of a U.S. visa as well as the various types of visas available to identify the appropriate option for your planned trip well in advance.