US B-1/B-2 visa bond pilot stays capped at $15,000, ends Aug. 5

Reports of a permanent $20,000 US visitor visa bond do not match the official record, according to a tracking update from Stamped Nomad. The B-1/B-2 visa bond pilot remains capped at $15,000, and the original Federal Register notice still lists Aug. 5 as its end date. The pilot began Aug. 20, 2025 and has not been formally replaced with a permanent, higher-cost program.

What the pilot actually does

Under the pilot, US consular officers can require certain applicants to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 as a guarantee that they will leave the country on time. The bond applies only to nationals of designated high-overstay countries who are otherwise eligible for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. It does not touch work, study or immigrant visas.

The State Department expanded the policy to cover nationals of 50 countries on April 2, and last updated its country list on May 13. The requirement follows the applicant's nationality, not where the application is filed.

The money is returned automatically when the traveler leaves on time, never uses the visa, or is denied entry. Posting a bond does not guarantee visa approval.

What it means for nomads

If you hold a passport from a listed country and have a visitor visa interview scheduled before the pilot's end date, budget for a possible bond of up to $15,000 — but do not pay anything unless a consular officer specifically directs you to. Payment runs through DHS Form I-352 and Pay.gov.

There are also travel restrictions attached to visas issued under this program. Holders must enter and exit the US through commercial airports, including US Customs and Border Protection preclearance locations. Charter flights, general aviation and land or sea crossings are not allowed — a meaningful limit if you had planned to combine a US trip with overland travel in the region.

Certain FIFA World Cup travelers may qualify for a waiver, including eligible nationals of competing countries who purchased tickets by April 15 and enrolled in the Hayya system.

The bottom line

The practical takeaway is to verify claims against official sources rather than headlines. As of now, the figure that matters is a $15,000 maximum, not $20,000, and the pilot is scheduled to wind down on Aug. 5. Affected nomads should confirm current requirements before booking travel or attending an interview, since country lists and program dates can shift.

Originally reported by Stamped Nomad.