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US State Department lists 50 countries subject to visa bonds of $10,000–$20,000

The State Department published an updated list of 50 countries whose nationals may have to post a $10,000–$20,000 bond for B1/B2 visas. India is not on it, but Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal are.

2 outlets · 0L · 2C · 0R First reported Account updated
Image: Gulf News
Image: Hindustan Times

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The story, neutrally told

Centre · 2The US State Department published an updated list on Friday 2 October 2026 of 50 countries whose nationals are required to post a visa bond if they are otherwise found eligible for B1/B2 business and tourist visas. Centre · 2Applicants travelling on a passport from a listed country must post a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, and a consular officer sets the amount at the visa interview. Centre · 2India is not on the list, so Indian passport holders are not required to post a bond on the basis of nationality; Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal are the South Asian countries covered.

Centre · 1According to the State Department list, Bhutan has been covered since 1 January, and Bangladesh and Nepal since 21 January. Centre · 2Hindustan Times lists the 50 countries: 30 in Africa (including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe), six in Asia/Central Asia (Cambodia, Georgia, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan), six in the Caribbean/Americas (including Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela), five in the Pacific (Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu) and the three South Asian countries. Centre · 2The programme operates under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which lets a consular officer require a bond before issuing a visa, and rests on a final rule that took effect on 3 August.

Centre · 1Hindustan Times describes the rule as having established the programme as a permanent measure. Centre · 2Countries are chosen using B1/B2 overstay rates in the Department of Homeland Security's Entry/Exit Overstay Report, and the programme is aimed at visitor overstays. Centre · 2Applicants must submit DHS Form I-352 and agree to the bond terms through Pay.gov, and only after a consular officer tells them to; the department warned against paying earlier.

Centre · 2The bond can be paid by the applicant or a third party such as a friend, relative or business associate, and whoever posts it receives the refund if the conditions are met. Posting a bond does not guarantee a visa. Centre · 2Bond holders must enter and leave the US through commercial airports, including Customs and Border Protection preclearance locations, and cannot use charter flights, general aviation, land crossings or seaports. Possible violations are referred to US Citizenship and Immigration Services to decide whether the bond has been breached.

Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.

Left0 outlets

No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.

Centre2 outlets

Framing
Both outlets, from the Gulf and South Asia, lead with the question of whether India is affected, treating the story as a practical guide for travellers.
Emphasis
India's exclusion, the South Asian countries covered, bond amounts, Form I-352 and Pay.gov steps, and airport-only entry and exit rules. Hindustan Times adds the full country list and a 'what is a visa bond' explainer.
Leaves out or plays down
Neither reports reaction from affected governments or critics, or says how many applicants may be affected. Neither explains why specific countries were added or which overstay rates apply.
For example
“US visa bond of up to $20,000 applies to 50 countries — is India included?” — Gulf News
“US visa bond: Is India affected from $20,000 deposit rule? Check full list” — Hindustan Times

Right0 outlets

No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.