The U.S. Department of State announced an update to its “Countries Subject to Visa Bonds” notice on January 6, 2026, expanding the pilot program to include thirty-two additional nations—including Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Uganda, and Venezuela—and expanding acceptable ports of entry to include nine international airports in the United States and Canada. Under the expanded program, certain B-1/B-2 visa applicants from these nations may be required to post refundable cash bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
Quick Hits
- On January 1, 2026, the State Department added seven countries to the visa bond program: Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan.
- On January 6, the State Department added an additional twenty-five countries to the visa bond list, including Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
- The State Department expanded its list of designated ports of entry through which visa bond holds must enter and exit to nine international airports, effective January 1, 2026.
- This measure is aimed at reducing visa overstays in the United States by requiring certain travelers to post a refundable bond, creating a financial incentive to follow visa rules.
The State Department expanded its visa bond pilot program in January 2026 to include a total of thirty-two countries. On January 1, seven countries were added: Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan. On January 6, an additional twenty-five countries joined the list, including Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
This program aims to reduce visa overstays by requiring visitors from subject countries to post a refundable bond, creating a financial incentive to comply with visa rules. Visa bonds for the countries added on January 1 were implemented on the same day, while bonds for the countries added on January 6 will take effect on January 26, 2026.
Citizens or nationals traveling on a passport from any of the listed countries must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as a condition for issuance of a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, if approved. As an additional condition of the bond, travelers must enter and exit the United States through one of nine designated ports of entry. In addition to Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), the State Department added the following airports effective January 1, 2026: Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL). The State Department indicates additional ports of entry are being added on a rolling basis.
The thirty-eight countries currently included in the pilot program are:
See Ogletree’s detailed article for additional information on the visa bond pilot program.
Next Steps
Visitors to the United States applying for a B-1/ B-2 visa should note the newly added countries to the State Department’s visa bond pilot program and ensure compliance with visa status, bond terms, and consular instructions. Noncompliance—such as incorrect entry points, overstays, or status changes—may trigger review by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
