Up to $15,000 US Visa Bonds for 50 Nations - Sri Lanka Excluded

COLOMBO (News 1st); The administration of US President Donald Trump will require citizens from 50 countries to post visa bonds of up to US$15,000 when applying for entry to the United States.

The United States Department of State has released an updated list of countries whose nationals will be required to post a visa bond when applying for certain US nonimmigrant visas, with Sri Lanka notably not included in the list. The update, published on March 18, 2026, outlines a pilot programme targeting countries with higher visa overstay rates, while confirming that Sri Lankan passport holders are not subject to the new requirement.

According to the official announcement on Travel.State.Gov, the visa bond requirement applies to nationals of more than 50 countries, with implementation dates ranging from October 11, 2025, to April 2, 2026. The measure primarily affects applicants seeking B1/B2 visitor visas, covering travel for business or tourism.

Countries included in the list span Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, and the Pacific. Among those named are Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Mauritius, Mongolia, Tunisia, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe, alongside several others. Each country has a specified date from which the bond requirement takes effect. Sri Lanka does not appear anywhere on the list, confirming that Sri Lankan nationals remain unaffected by the visa bond pilot programme.

Under the policy, any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of the listed countries, if otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a visa bond of US$5,000, US$10,000, or US$15,000. The exact amount is determined by a consular officer at the time of the visa interview. The Department of State stresses that posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance.

Applicants required to post a bond must complete Department of Homeland Security Form I‑352 and make payments exclusively through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform, following direct instructions from a consular officer. The Department has warned applicants not to use third‑party websites and has stated that the US Government bears no responsibility for funds paid outside its official systems. Fees paid without official direction are non‑refundable.

Additional conditions apply to travellers who post a visa bond. Bond holders must enter and exit the United States exclusively through commercial air ports of entry, including US Customs and Border Protection preclearance locations. Charter flights, general aviation, land borders, and sea ports are explicitly prohibited for entry or exit under the bond terms. Failure to comply may result in denied entry or improper departure records.

The Department of State also detailed how visa bonds are resolved. Bonds are automatically cancelled and refunded if the visa holder departs the US on or before their authorised stay, does not travel before the visa expires, or is denied admission at a US port of entry. Suspected violations, such as overstaying or failing to depart, are referred to US Citizenship and Immigration Services to determine whether a bond breach has occurred.

Sri Lanka is not subject to the US visa bond requirement.The Department of State has not indicated any change to Sri Lanka’s status under the current pilot programme.