B-1/B-2 visa applicants from designated countries will be required to post a $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 bond in order to obtain their visa, under a temporary final rule that takes effect on August 20.
For now, the pilot will only be applied to nationals of Malawi and Zambia. The pilot program country list may change and is expected to include countries identified by the U.S. government as having high overstay rates or deficient vetting and screening processes, or which offer citizenship by investment with no residency requirement.
Visas issued under the pilot program will be valid for a maximum of three months and a single entry to the United States, and visa holders will be granted a 30-day maximum stay in the United States.
Visa holders will receive a full refund of their bond payment if they comply with the terms of their visa status while in the United States and either timely depart or timely and properly file an extension of stay or change of status request.
