US introduces up to $20,000 visa bond, India not on the affected list

The United States has announced a visa bond requirement for B1/B2 applicants from 50 countries, demanding a payment of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 determined at the consular interview. Applicants must wait for a consular officer’s instruction before completing Form I-352 and will receive a direct Pay.gov link for payment; any money sent elsewhere will not be returned. The rule applies regardless of where the application is filed, and bond amounts vary, so not every affected traveler will owe the maximum $20,000.

Asian nations on the list include Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal, but India is not among them, meaning Indian passport holders are exempt. Refunds are automatic only in cases like unused visas, qualifying departures, or compliance with stay extensions, and they are issued in U.S. dollars to the payer, who also bears any exchange-rate losses. Bond holders must travel through commercial airports with preclearance and cannot use charter, private, land or sea routes. Violations such as overstaying or late extension requests can trigger a review by U.S. immigration authorities.