The deposit procedure has been implemented for the US B1/B2 visa
The US Department of State has announced a new procedure for B1/B2 (tourist and business) visas. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
From now on, citizens of certain countries will be required to pay a mandatory bond during the visa application process. This measure is mainly applied to countries with a high rate of visa overstays.
**Which countries are included in the list?** The Department of State has published a list of countries for which the bond is required. Central Asian countries are also included: - Kyrgyzstan — from January 21, 2026, - Tajikistan — from January 21, 2026, - Turkmenistan — from January 1, 2026.
Additionally, the list includes several countries from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The list was last updated as of January 6, 2026.
**What is the amount of the bond?** If the applicant is approved for a B1/B2 visa, they will need to pay a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The exact amount is determined by the consul during the visa interview.
The DHS Form I-352 must also be submitted. **How is the payment made?** The bond is paid only after the consul's instruction.
The applicant makes the payment through the official Pay.gov platform. Use of third-party websites is strictly prohibited.
Important note: paying the bond does not guarantee the visa. Payments made without the consul's instruction are non-refundable.
**Entry and exit procedures to the US** Visa holders who have paid the bond must enter and exit the US only through the following airports: - Boston Logan (BOS), - New York JFK (JFK), - Washington Dulles (IAD). Failure to comply with these rules may result in denied entry or incorrect exit records.
**When is the bond refunded or forfeited?** The bond is automatically refunded in the following cases: - If the person leaves the US within the authorized period, - If the person does not travel to the US before the visa expires, - If entry to the US is denied at the airport. If visa conditions are violated, the case will be reviewed by USCIS and the bond will not be refunded.
**Summary** The new procedure for the B1/B2 visa is much stricter than before. A bond payment of $5,000 or $15,000 is being introduced for some applicants.
It is important for travelers to carefully review the official list and dates. The list is updated periodically.
