The United States has introduced a new visa bond requirement of up to $15,000 for citizens of 38 countries. Three Central Asian states — Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan — are included in the list under a pilot program announced by the Department of State.
For Tajik citizens, the requirement will take effect starting January 21. For citizens of the other 15 countries on the list, the system came into force on January 1, 2026.
Under the new rules, nationals of listed countries who are otherwise eligible for B1/B2 (tourist and business) visas may be required to post a visa bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on the outcome of their visa interview. The bond requirement is based on visa overstay rates and is authorized under US immigration law and a Temporary Final Rule.
Applicants will be instructed by a consular officer if a bond is required and must submit Form I-352 and make payments exclusively through the US government’s Pay.gov platform. US authorities have warned that payments made without official instruction or through third-party services will not be refunded, and posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance.
As part of the program, travelers who post a bond must enter and exit the US through designated airports, including Boston Logan, New York’s JFK, and Washington Dulles. Failure to comply with these conditions may result in denied entry or an unrecorded departure.
The bond will be automatically refunded if the traveler leaves the US on time, does not use the visa, or is denied entry at the port of arrival. However, overstaying, failing to depart, or attempting to change immigration status including applying for asylum may lead to a bond breach and review by US immigration authorities.
As reported earlier, Uzbekistan will grant US citizens visa-free entry for up to 30 days starting January 1, 2026, under a presidential decree. The decision reflects expanding bilateral economic ties, with Uzbekistan’s exports to the US rising to $431mn in 2024 from $42.4mn in 2014.
