The United States has imposed a visa bond requirement of up to $20,000 on nationals of 50 countries applying for business and tourist visas, raising questions over whether Pakistan is included in the list.
According to the US State Department, nationals of the countries on the updated list may be required to post a $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 bond if they are otherwise found eligible for a B1/B2 visa.
The exact bond amount will be determined by a consular officer during the visa interview.
Is Pakistan on the US visa bond list?
Pakistan is not included in the current list of 50 countries subject to the US visa bond requirement.
The programme currently covers several countries across Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Pacific, as well as some South Asian countries.
India has been excluded from the requirement, while Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal are among the South Asian countries covered by the programme.
Bangladesh and Nepal have been subject to the requirement since January 21, while Bhutan was added from January 1, according to the State Department.
How does the $20,000 US visa bond work?
Under the programme, applicants travelling on passports issued by listed countries must post a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 when directed by a consular officer.
Applicants must complete DHS Form I-352 and agree to the bond terms through Pay.gov, the US Treasury Department’s online payment platform.
The State Department has warned applicants not to make any payment before receiving instructions from a consular officer.
A visa bond can be paid by the applicant or a third party, such as a relative, friend or business associate.
The person who posts the bond may receive the money back if all conditions of the bond are met.
However, paying the bond does not guarantee that a US visa will be issued.
New travel restrictions for visa bond applicants
Travellers who post a visa bond face additional restrictions on how they enter and leave the United States.
They must use commercial airports, including locations offering US Customs and Border Protection preclearance.
They cannot use charter aircraft, general aviation, land border crossings or seaports for entry or departure under the programme.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services may refer possible violations to determine whether the bond conditions have been breached.
The State Department said the programme is intended to address visitor visa overstays. Countries are identified using overstay rates recorded in the Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report.
The current programme was established under a final rule that took effect on August 3 and operates under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
