Caribbean Nations Excluded from US Visa Bond Pilot Program

The United States Department of State, on August 5, 2025, announced the implementation of a visa bond pilot program, a policy that requires certain visa applicants to pay a refundable bond to ensure their timely departure from the U.S. This program, effective August 20, 2025, aims to address the issue of visa overstays, specifically targeting applicants for B-1/B-2 visitor visas, typically used for tourism and business purposes. Contrary to widespread concerns, particularly within the Caribbean region, the initial implementation of this policy applies only to nationals of Malawi and Zambia. This announcement brought significant relief to Caribbean nations, several of which operate Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs and were apprehensive about potential negative impacts on travel and investment.

The decision to apply the visa bond requirement solely to Malawi and Zambia was based on data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s FY2023 Overstay Report. This report identifies countries with notably high rates of B-1/B-2 visa overstays, and the pilot program specifically targets these nations. The bond amounts, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, are determined by consular officers during the visa interview process. Applicants from the designated countries are required to submit Form I-352 and pay the bond via Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury’s official payment platform, only after receiving instructions from a consular officer. Critically, the payment of the bond does not guarantee visa approval. Payments made without specific instructions from a consular officer are not refundable.

The visa bond program also stipulates specific ports of entry for visa holders subject to the bond requirement. These designated airports are Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). This controlled entry and exit procedure allows for more effective monitoring of arrivals and departures, ensuring compliance with the terms of the visa. Failure to comply with this port of entry requirement could result in denial of entry or issues with documenting departure, potentially jeopardizing future travel to the United States.

The bond is refundable under several circumstances: when the visa holder departs the U.S. on or before the expiration date of their authorized stay, if the visa is not used for travel to the U.S., or if the visa holder is denied entry at a U.S. port of entry. The Department of Homeland Security is responsible for identifying potential breaches of the bond agreement, such as overstays or attempts to adjust visa status. Cases of suspected non-compliance are referred to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review and determination.

The announcement of the limited scope of the visa bond pilot program was met with cautious optimism in the Caribbean. While relieved at not being included in the initial implementation, regional observers acknowledge that future iterations of the program could expand to include other countries, depending on evolving immigration patterns. The exclusion of Caribbean nations represents a positive outcome for the region, given its close ties to the U.S. through trade, tourism, educational exchanges, and diaspora communities. The pilot program’s impact on travel from Malawi and Zambia will be closely monitored, and the data collected will likely inform future decisions regarding the program’s scope.

The visa bond program underscores the U.S. government’s ongoing efforts to manage and control visa overstays. By focusing initially on countries with historically high overstay rates, the program aims to deter overstays and encourage adherence to visa regulations. The refundable nature of the bond provides an incentive for compliance, while the specific entry and exit requirements allow for closer monitoring of visa holders subject to the program. While the immediate impact is felt by travelers from Malawi and Zambia, the program’s long-term effects and potential expansion remain to be seen. The policy reflects a broader trend in immigration policy towards stricter enforcement and greater scrutiny of visa applicants from countries with higher overstay rates.