What it is?

A pilot program requiring citizens of specific countries to secure a bond before they can be issued a visitor B1/B2 visa.

Who it affects?

Citizens of Malawi or Zambia who wish to enter the U.S. on a B1/B2.

When?

The bond pilot goes into effect on August 20th, 2025.

The Details:

The Details: Starting August 20, 2025, any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond in amounts of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000,  determined at time of visa interview.  The applicant must also submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 agreeing to the terms of the bond, through the Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform Pay.gov.  This requirement applies regardless of place of application. Please visit here for more information on the grounds of this program as well as the proccess.