The U.S. Department of State has expanded its Visa Bond Pilot Program as of January 2026.
The Visa Bond Pilot Program may affect a limited number of travelers applying for business (B‑1) or tourist (B‑2) visas. Under this program, some visa applicants may be required by a U.S. consular officer to post a refundable bond of $5,000–$15,000 as a condition of visa issuance.
Visa bond requirements are determined on a case‑by‑case basis by U.S. government authorities and are not specific to this event. Not all international travelers are affected. Travelers entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are not subject to this requirement.
Because the program has expanded and participating countries may change during the pilot period, international attendees are strongly encouraged to confirm visa requirements early and prior to making travel arrangements.
Additional travel conditions may apply for travelers subject to a visa bond. International participants should review official U.S. government guidance carefully when making travel arrangements.
For the most current and official information, please refer to the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Bond Program information.
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Who it applies to: Applicants from certain countries, currently Malawi and Zambia, as determined by the U.S. consular officer.
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Bond requirement: A refundable bond of $5,000–$15,000 may be required before issuance of a visa.
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Who it does not apply to: Travelers entering under the Visa Waiver Program are not affected.
Because additional countries may be added to the program with at least 15 days’ notice, we strongly advise international attendees to confirm visa requirements early and before making travel arrangements.