Direct answer: Pakistani passport holders are not on the current U.S. visa-bond country list, so the new nationality-based bond requirement does not currently apply to them. Bangladesh and Nepal are on the list; India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are not. The permanent program took effect on August 3, 2026, and a consular officer may set a covered applicant’s bond at $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000.[1]
Checked against the U.S. State Department list on August 7, 2026. The list can change, so use the official checker linked below before your interview.
South Asia visa-bond checker
| Passport/nationality | On current bond list? | What this means |
|---|---|---|
| Pakistan | No | No nationality-based bond under the current list |
| India | No | No nationality-based bond under the current list |
| Bangladesh | Yes | A bond may be required for an otherwise eligible B-1/B-2 applicant |
| Nepal | Yes | A bond may be required for an otherwise eligible B-1/B-2 applicant |
| Bhutan | Yes | A bond may be required for an otherwise eligible B-1/B-2 applicant |
| Sri Lanka | No | No nationality-based bond under the current list |
| Maldives | No | No nationality-based bond under the current list |
The State Department’s published list contains 50 countries and does not name Pakistan. Pakistani reporting has separately confirmed that Pakistan and India are outside the current list, while Bangladesh and Nepal are included.[2][3]
What changed on August 3, 2026?
- The 2025 pilot became a permanent Visa Bond Program.
- It applies to certain nationals seeking temporary business or tourist B-1/B-2 visas.
- The permanent-rule bond levels are $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, selected by the consular officer according to the applicant’s circumstances.
- The country list may be changed on a rolling basis. New additions must normally be announced at least 15 days before implementation; removals can take effect immediately.
- A bond is a condition of visa issuance for a covered applicant when directed; it is not an extra application fee and does not guarantee a visa.
These points come from the final rule published by the U.S. Department of State in the Federal Register.[1]
Do not pay anyone unless a consular officer instructs you
If you are from a listed country, do not send money to an agent, consultant or third-party website. The State Department says applicants should submit Form I-352 and pay only after a consular officer directs them. The applicant receives a direct link to the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform. Money paid outside official U.S. government systems is not protected, and paying without official direction does not guarantee visa issuance.[2]
Important source note: The State Department country-list page was last updated May 13, 2026 and still displays the pilot’s older $5,000/$10,000/$15,000 amounts. The newer final rule, effective August 3, sets the permanent program’s amounts at $10,000/$15,000/$20,000. Use the final rule for current bond amounts and the State Department page for the live country list.[1][2]
All 50 countries currently on the U.S. visa-bond list
As listed by the State Department: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Cote D’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyz Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.[2]
What covered applicants should do
- Confirm that your passport country appears on the official State Department list.
- Complete the normal B-1/B-2 application and attend your visa interview.
- Do not post a bond in advance.
- If the consular officer requires a bond, follow the supplied Form I-352 and Pay.gov instructions.
- Keep your payment and travel records.
- Follow the bond’s entry, exit and authorized-stay conditions exactly.
The State Department says a compliant bond is canceled and returned automatically when DHS records an on-time departure, when the visa holder does not travel before the visa expires, or when the traveler is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry. Its current guidance also requires bonded travelers to use commercial air ports of entry, including CBP preclearance locations—not charter air, general aviation, land or sea ports.[2]
Frequently asked questions
Do Pakistani applicants have to pay a $20,000 U.S. visa bond?
Not under the current nationality list. Pakistan is not among the 50 listed countries. Because the list can change, check the official State Department page before relying on this answer.
Is every covered applicant charged $20,000?
No. Under the permanent rule, a consular officer determines whether a covered applicant must post a bond and sets it at $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 based on the individual circumstances.[1]
Does paying the bond guarantee visa approval?
No. The State Department explicitly says a bond does not guarantee visa issuance. Pay only when a consular officer directs you through the official process.[2]
Is the visa bond refundable?
It can be returned when the bond conditions are satisfied, including an on-time recorded departure. A possible breach is referred for a determination and may put the bond at risk.[2]
Sources
- Federal Register — Visas: Visa Bond Program (final rule, effective August 3, 2026)
- U.S. Department of State — Countries Subject to Visa Bonds
- Dawn — Pakistan gets a pass on new U.S. visa bond rule
This article is a source-based public-information explainer, not legal advice. Visa decisions are made by U.S. consular and border authorities.