According to a notice published by the US Department of State in the Federal Register, the requirement applies to applicants for B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas from 50 designated countries. Uzbekistan is not included on the list.
The program was first introduced as a 12-month pilot in August 2025. Under the pilot, consular officers could require eligible applicants to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, which would be returned after they left the United States in compliance with the terms of their visa.
The State Department said the pilot had proved to be an effective tool for ensuring compliance with visa requirements.
Under the permanent policy, consular officers may, at their discretion, require eligible applicants to provide a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition for obtaining a temporary business or tourist visa. The bond serves as a guarantee that visitors will comply with the terms of their nonimmigrant status and depart the United States as required.
Thirty of the 50 countries covered by the program are in Africa. In Central Asia, the list includes Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan, while Uzbekistan is not subject to the requirement.
The countries covered by the program are Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, the Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, The Gambia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
