KATHMANDU: Nepal has been added to the list of countries whose citizens must post a visa bond to apply for a US B1/B2 (business and tourist) visa, according to the US Department of State.

Under the new requirement, which comes into effect on January 21, 2026, Nepali applicants found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa will be required to deposit a bond of USD 5,000, USD 10,000 or USD 15,000, as determined by a consular officer at the time of the visa interview.

The visa bond requirement has been introduced under Section 221(g)(3) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act as part of a pilot programme targeting countries with higher visa overstay rates, based on data from the US Department of Homeland Security.

Applicants directed to post a bond must submit Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) and make payment exclusively through the US government’s Pay.gov platform. The Department of State has warned applicants not to use third-party websites, stating that payments made outside official systems will not be refunded. 

Payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, the US Department of Stated noted.

As a condition of the bond, visa holders must enter and exit the United States through designated ports of entry—Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, or Washington Dulles International Airport. Failure to comply may result in denial of entry or improper exit records.

The bond will be automatically refunded if the visa holder departs the US within the authorised stay period, does not travel before the visa expires, or is denied entry at the port of entry. However, the bond may be forfeited if the visa holder overstays, fails to depart, or applies to change status, including seeking asylum.

Nepal has joined Bangladesh and Bhutan on the list of South Asian countries facing stricter U.S. measures aimed at curbing visa overstays.