Pakistan has not been included in the United States’ newly introduced visitor visa bond programme, meaning Pakistani nationals applying for US B-1 business or B-2 tourist visas will not be required to pay a refundable financial bond under the new policy, which came into effect on August 1, 2026.
The programme applies only to selected applicants from 50 designated countries and allows US consular officers to require a visa bond ranging from $10,000 to $20,000, depending on their assessment of the applicant’s individual circumstances. The initiative is intended to encourage compliance with US immigration laws and reduce the number of visitors who overstay their authorized period of stay.
Under the policy, travelers who fully comply with the conditions of their visa and depart the United States before their authorized stay expires will receive a full refund of the bond. However, those who violate the terms of their visa, including overstaying or breaching immigration regulations, may forfeit the deposited amount.
While countries such as Bangladesh and Nepal have been included in the programme, both Pakistan and India are absent from the list. As a result, applicants from Pakistan will continue to follow the existing US visitor visa application process without being subject to the additional financial guarantee required under the new bond system.
The announcement has drawn attention from prospective travelers and immigration experts, who are closely monitoring the implementation of the programme and its potential impact on international travel and visa policies in the future.
