Pakistan Exempted from New US Visa Bond Program

Washington: (News Desk) – The United States has introduced a permanent refundable visa bond requirement of $10,000 to $20,000 for visitors from certain countries, but Pakistan has not been included in the list of affected nations.

According to the list issued in the US Federal Register, the new policy applies to citizens of 50 countries seeking B-1 business or B-2 tourist visas. Bangladesh and Nepal are among the South Asian countries included, while Pakistan and India remain exempt.

Afghanistan and Iran were also excluded from the program due to the absence of normal diplomatic relations with the United States.

The US State Department said the decision follows a review of the pilot Visa Bond Program launched in 2025, which officials claim helped reduce visa overstays and improve compliance with immigration rules.

Under the permanent policy, US consular officers may require selected applicants to submit a refundable bond before visa approval. The amount will depend on individual cases and may range from $10,000 to $20,000.

Officials said applicants who follow visa conditions and leave the United States within the permitted period will receive a full refund. However, the bond may be forfeited in cases of visa violations or overstays.

The State Department clarified that the requirement will not automatically apply to every applicant from listed countries, as consular officers will assess each case separately before making a decision.