Pakistan will not be affected by a new US visa bond program that came into force on August 1, under which citizens of 50 countries may now be required to post a refundable deposit of up to $20,000 before receiving a US visitor visa, according to a report by credible news sources. The list, published in the US Federal Register, leaves out Pakistan entirely, and diplomatic sources confirmed that “Pakistan is not on the list of countries covered by the programme.”
#US makes #visabond program permanent, requiring #travelers from 50 nations to pay up to $20,000 before receiving business or #touristvisa https://t.co/5ISLHWMQE8 @StateDept @WhiteHouse
— Kazinform (@kazinform_eng) August 3, 2026
Key Highlights
- New US visa bond rule took effect August 1, 2026, and is now permanent
- Pakistan is not among the 50 countries listed; India also excluded
- Bangladesh and Nepal, among South Asian nations, are covered
- Bonds range from $10,000 to $20,000 for B-1/B-2 visa applicants
- Program followed a 2025 pilot that cut visa overstays sharply
- Afghanistan and Iran excluded due to lack of normal diplomatic relations with Washington
Pakistan Off the List, India Also Spared
Among South Asian countries, only Bangladesh and Nepal fall under the new US visa bond requirement, while both Pakistan and India remain outside its scope. Afghanistan and Iran are excluded for a different reason: the United States does not maintain normal diplomatic relations with either country, according to the report. The 50 countries on the list span roughly 30 African nations along with select countries in Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
For Pakistani travelers applying for US business or tourist visas, Tuesday’s development means no change to existing procedures, a relief for a country whose citizens already navigate a lengthy and often uncertain American visa process.
Rule Traces Back to 2025 Pilot Program
The State Department said the decision to make the bond scheme permanent followed a review of the 2025 pilot program, which officials said significantly cut visa overstays and improved compliance among travelers from participating countries. The department cited figures showing 45,488 overstays from the 50 listed countries in 2024, compared with fewer than 50 overstays recorded in the pilot’s first ten months. Officials also noted that visa issuance itself declined under the pilot, as some applicants appeared to avoid applying altogether rather than pay a bond.
Under the permanent rules, US consular officers can require selected B-1 and B-2 visa applicants from the listed countries to post a bond of between $10,000 and $20,000. The new ceiling marks an increase from the pilot’s $15,000 cap, while the previous $5,000 minimum bond has been scrapped entirely. Officials clarified that the bond is not automatic for every applicant from a covered country; consular officers will still assess each case individually before deciding whether a bond applies.
Applicants who comply with their visa terms and depart the United States before their authorized stay expires will have the bond refunded in full. Those who overstay or otherwise breach visa conditions risk forfeiting the deposit altogether, a measure Washington says is designed to reinforce compliance with US immigration law without shutting the door on legitimate travel.
