U.S. visitors from Bhutan and 12 other countries now face a new visa bond requirement 5,000,$10,000 or $15,000 when applying for B-1/B-2 (business/tourist) visas, under a State Department program aimed at discouraging overstays, according to Travel.State.Gov. The policy is in place for citizens from the nations on the list who are traveling with passports.
For Bhutan, the bond requirement had already started on January 1, 2026.
For Bhutanese applicants, the change adds a significant up-front cost to an already expensive visa process. Even if an applicant is otherwise eligible for a B-1/B-2 visa, a consular officer can require the bond at the interview, with the exact amount set at that time, Travel.State.Gov said.
Applicants directed to post a bond must file DHS Form I-352 and pay through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform. Officials told applicants not to utilize third-party websites and noted that the U.S. government is not responsible for money sent outside of its systems.
The State Department also said that posting a bond does not guarantee that a visa will be issued, and paying fees without a consular officer’s permission could mean that the money is not returned.
Another practical impact for Bhutanese travelers: anyone who posts a bond must enter and depart the United States through only three airports — Boston Logan (BOS), New York’s JFK, or Washington Dulles (IAD), Travel.State.Gov said.
DHS will refer suspected violations — including overstays or certain status changes — to USCIS for a breach determination, the State Department said.
