$15,000 Visa Bond for B-1/B-2 Visitors: The Pilot Program

The U.S. Department of State launched a pilot program in August 2025 that could redefine part of the process for obtaining tourism and business visas. The measure requires a financial deposit of up to $15,000, fully refundable if the foreign national complies with the terms of admission, as a condition for issuing certain B-1 and B-2 visas.

The initiative was published in the Federal Register, the official journal of the U.S. government, and has a twelve-month experimental period. During this time, the program will be evaluated to determine whether it will be expanded, adjusted, or discontinued. The official rationale is to reduce overstay, that is, to ensure that tourists and business visitors leave the country within the period authorized by CBP.

Which Visas Are Covered

The pilot covers only two nonimmigrant visa categories: B-1 and B-2. The B-1 is designed for short-term business travel, such as attending conferences, negotiating contracts, brief training sessions, and meetings with clients or suppliers. The B-2 covers tourism, family visits, elective medical treatments, and recreational activities. In practice, the vast majority of U.S. visas issued to Brazilian visitors fall under one of these two categories.

Student visas (F-1, M-1), work visas (H-1B, L-1, O-1), investor visas (E-2, EB-5), and immigrant visas (EB-1 through EB-5, family-based) are not subject to the deposit. Visa Waiver Program categories, such as ESTA, are also outside the scope of the program.

How the Deposit Works

The exact deposit amount varies based on the applicant’s profile and the overstay history of their home country. The three tiers established in the notice are $5,000, $10,000, and $15,000. When the applicant fulfills all conditions (authorized admission, staying within the period granted by CBP, and departing before the deadline), the full amount is returned.

If the foreign national fails to comply with the terms, the government retains the amount as a penalty. This forfeiture may occur in cases of overstay (remaining beyond the authorized period), unauthorized employment during the stay, or violation of other visa conditions. When a refund is issued, it is processed electronically within a period of up to several weeks after the traveler’s confirmed departure.

Countries Affected in the First Phase

The Department of State initially announced only two countries as pilot participants: Zambia and Malawi. The selection took into account historical overstay data for these countries, both of which have irregular stay rates above the global average according to the U.S. government’s own statistics.

Brazil is not included in the initial phase. There is, as of now, no official indication of the country’s future inclusion in the program. Brazilians applying for B-1 or B-2 visas continue to follow the traditional process, which involves completing the DS-160 form, paying the consular fee, and attending an interview at a U.S. consulate.

Even so, it is worth following the pilot’s progress. The Department of State made clear that the list of countries may be expanded throughout the experiment, based on new overstay data and diplomatic considerations. African, Asian, and Latin American countries with high irregular stay rates are the most likely candidates to enter the next phase.

The Political and Economic Context

The pilot program is part of a broader set of measures adopted by the Trump administration to strengthen enforcement and reduce unauthorized entries. Within this package, the bond pilot is just one piece. Others include revised processing timelines, expanded inadmissibility criteria, and additional fees for some temporary work visas.

In the high-net-worth investor space, the government launched the Gold Card program in April 2025, offering accelerated permanent residency in exchange for a minimum investment of $5 million. Both programs, the Gold Card and the bond pilot, reflect a common philosophy: making U.S. immigration more transactional, with explicit financial filters.

How the Pilot May Evolve

U.S. immigration law experts are watching the experiment closely. If the pilot demonstrates an effective reduction in overstay without significantly harming legitimate tourism, the program is likely to be expanded to more countries. If the experiment causes a significant drop in tourist flow and a negative economic impact, particularly in states such as Florida, Nevada, and California, which rely heavily on international visitors, the program may be adjusted or terminated.

Analysts consider the possibility of expansion to Brazil unlikely in the short term, given the importance of the Brazilian outbound market to U.S. tourism and Brazil’s relatively moderate overstay rate. Even so, sudden policy shifts are a hallmark of the current administration, and no country can be considered entirely off the radar while the pilot is active.

Recommendations for Those Planning to Travel

Brazilians planning to apply for B-1 or B-2 visas in the coming months should pay attention to three key points. First, verify whether the list of countries has been updated before scheduling the consular interview. Second, organize documentation demonstrating ties to Brazil (employment, property, family), as these remain the primary criteria for visa approval, with or without a bond.

Third, plan the trip with a clearly defined return date. Even without a required bond, any overstay can result in reentry bars ranging from three years to permanent banishment, depending on the duration of the unauthorized stay. Timing discipline is, today, more critical than ever.

The 2026 landscape signals that the U.S. visa system is undergoing rapid transformation. Those who prepare in advance, choose the right category, and strictly comply with the terms of admission continue to have safe access to the country. The bond requirement currently affects a limited group, but it reflects a philosophical shift worth monitoring.

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

Meet the author

Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.