US Visa Bond Requirement Becomes Permanent; Nepalis Must Pay Up to NPR 3 Million
The United States has made its bond requirement program permanent for those applying for ‘tourist’ or ‘business’ visas, increasing the bond amount to $20,000 (over NPR 3,041,000). Along with 50 other countries, Nepal has been included in the mandatory visa bond list. Nepali officials had earlier requested the US government to remove Nepal from this list. The latest announcement published in the US Federal Register states that a visa bond of up to $20,000 is now permanently mandatory for tourist or business visa applicants. This rule will take effect starting next Monday.
In 2025, the US initiated a pilot program implementing a $15,000 bond requirement. Nepal was added to this list of countries subject to the bond rule as of January 21 this year. The inclusion of Nepal alongside countries such as Venezuela and Cuba has raised concerns among foreign policy experts. The US government has described the pilot program as effective, leading to the permanent enforcement of the bond rule. Countries already under the pilot program will remain on the list as the new regulation goes into effect.
Out of the 50 countries on the mandatory bond list, despite 45,488 individuals overstaying their permitted time in the US during 2024, fewer than 50 visa overstays were recorded in the first ten months of the pilot program. This has been cited as evidence for the rule’s effectiveness. Moreover, visa issuance rates have dropped significantly following the bond enforcement. Compared to the previous year’s first ten months, visa issuance rates during the pilot period up to July decreased by 83%. The US government describes this policy as part of former President Trump’s foreign policy initiatives to mitigate the risk of visa overstays.
Foreign Minister Shishir Khanal, speaking during dialogues with US officials just after Prime Minister Balendra Shah’s government marked 100 days in office, reportedly requested the removal of Nepal from the visa bond list. He stated, “In every high-level visit and even over the phone with embassy representatives, I have clearly raised this issue. US officials say this is based on scientific data.” A US State Department spokesperson commented, “The visa bond pilot program has proven effective in preventing illegal immigration.”