US Makes Visa Bond Rule Permanent, Nepali Applicants May Need to Deposit Up to NPR 3 Million
The United States has permanently introduced its Visa Bond program for citizens of 50 countries, including Nepal.
US Makes Visa Bond Rule Permanent, Nepali Applicants May Need to Deposit Up to NPR 3 Million
The United States has decided to permanently implement its Visa Bond program for citizens of 50 countries, including Nepal, applying for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas. Under the new rule, Nepali applicants may be required to deposit between USD 10,000 and USD 20,000 before their visa is issued, equivalent to nearly NPR 3 million.
The US Department of State said the decision follows the successful completion of a one-year pilot program.
Under the permanent policy, the previous USD 5,000 bond option has been removed, leaving only USD 10,000 and USD 20,000 as the available bond amounts. Applicants must deposit the required amount before their visa interview.
The bond will be fully refunded if the visa application is denied or if the traveler leaves the United States before the authorized stay expires and complies with all visa conditions.
The policy applies primarily to applicants seeking B-1 and B-2 visas for business or tourism. Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan are among the South Asian countries included in the program. The US government said the measure is intended to reduce visa overstays and lower the costs associated with deportation and immigration enforcement.