Visas: Visa Bond Program

Document Headings Document headings vary by document type but may contain the following: the agency or agencies that issued and signed a document the number of the CFR title and the number of each part the document amends, proposes to amend, or is directly related to the agency docket number / agency internal file number the RIN which identifies each regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions See the Document Drafting Handbook for more details. Department of State 22 CFR Part 41 [Public Notice: 13089] RIN 1400-AG33 AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Final rule. SUMMARY: This rule finalizes the temporary final rule that went into effect on August 20, 2025, which launched a 12-month long Visa Bond Pilot Program (Pilot Program), and establishes a permanent visa bond program. An alien applying for a visa as a temporary visitor for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) may be required to submit a bond (“visa bond”) to ensure that the alien maintains his or her nonimmigrant status and departs as required. Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers. DATES: This final rule is effective August 3, 2026. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Visa Services Office, Bureau of Consular Affairs, Department of State; telephone (202) 485-7611, VisaRegs@state.gov . SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: I. Summary This final rule amends 22 CFR part 41 to make permanent a Visa Bond Program (“Program”) under section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1201(g)(3) , which authorizes consular officers to require the posting of a bond by an alien applying for, and otherwise eligible to receive, a business visitor/tourist (B-1/B-2) visa  [ 1 ] “to insure that at the expiration of the time for which such alien has been admitted . . . or upon failure to maintain …