Frequently Asked Questions about Visa Bonds
Updated on March 25, 2026
Will the issuance of 10-year B1/B2 visas to Georgians stop after April 2, 2026?
Under the visa bond pilot program, B1/B2 applicants that are found eligible for a visa will receive a single-entry visa valid for up to 3 months.
Has the visa fee increased?
The application fee for a B1/B2 visa has not increased.
Who defines the length of stay in the United States – the consul or the immigration officer at the port of entry?
A U.S. visa in his/her passport gives a foreign citizen permission to apply to enter the United States. A visa simply indicates that your application has been reviewed by a consular officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and that the officer determined you’re eligible to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry. At the port-of-entry, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer decides whether to allow you to enter and how long you can stay for any particular visit.
Under the visa bond program, applicants receive a single-entry B1/B2 visa valid for up to 3 months.
Do the new regulations affect holders of existing valid visas?
No. The visa bond requirement is not retroactive and does not apply to holders of existing valid B1/B2 visas.
Will applicants be subject to visa bonds based on the country where they apply or their nationality?
The requirement is based on the nationality of the applicant and will apply to all Georgian nationals applying for B1/B2 visas anywhere in the world.
When do I pay the bond?
Do not pay your bond in advance. A consular officer will provide instructions on how to pay your bond AFTER your interview, if you are found eligible for a B1/B2 visa.
Where can visa bond holders enter the United States?
Ports of entry for visa bond holders include: all commercial air ports-of-entry (including CBP preclearance locations). Visa bond holders may NOT use charter air, general aviation, land, or sea ports-of-entry.
When is the visa bond returned?
Within 30 days following your timely departure via air from the United States, the Department of State will register your timely departure from the United States and send a Form I-391 Cancellation Notice via email to the person who paid the bond. If the bond is cancelled, the full amount will be returned to the credit card, Venmo account or PayPal account used for the original payment. If you have not received notification of your bond cancellation within two weeks of your timely departure from the United States, please contact the embassy or consulate that issued your visa.
What types of visas are affected?
B1/B2 (Business/Tourist) visas.
What age of applicants are affected?
There are no age restrictions for visa bonds, it applies to all B1/B2 visa applicants.
Does everyone pay a $10,000 bond?
All Georgian applicants who have been approved for a B1/B2 since April 2 have had to pay a bond. Children under 18 who are traveling with their parent or legal guardian are subject to a bond of $5,000. All other applicants have been subject to a bond of $10,000.
Are other nationals of other countries still qualifying for 10-year B1/B2 visas?
All nationals of countries in the visa bond pilot program – if they qualify for a B1/B2 visa – are receiving a single-entry visa which may be used for travel within three months of issuance.
