DOS Temporary Final Rule (TFR) on Visa Bond Pilot Program
The Department of State (DOS) introduced a temporary final rule (TFR) announcing a 12-month long visa bond pilot program. Applicants for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B–1/B–2) who are nationals of countries identified by the Department as (a) having high visa overstay rates, (b) where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or (c) offering Citizenship by Investment, if the individual obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot program. Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers. This TFR and pilot program are effective 8/20/25–8/5/26. (90 FR 37378, 8/5/25)
A separate announcement from DOS on 8/5/25 identified Malawi and Zambia as subject to the pilot program based on the countries’ overstay rate.
On 8/11/25, DOS posted a correction to this TFR, clarifying pertinent dates and providing a technical correction to the designation of paragraphs in the rule. (90 FR 38610, 8/11/25)
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 41
[Public Notice: 12783]
RIN 1400–AG01
Visas: Visa Bond Pilot Program
AGENCY: Department of State.
ACTION: Temporary final rule.
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