Effective Aug 3, 2026, the Department of State finalized regulations making the Visa Bond Pilot Program a permanent requirement for certain B-1 (business visitor) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants from designated countries, who may be required to post a refundable bond as a condition of the visa.
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State Dept makes visa bond pilot permanent for some B-1/B-2 applicants Aug 3
Why this matters for founders
Founders or staff traveling to the US on a B-1 for meetings, demo days or accelerators should check whether their nationality triggers a bond and build the refundable deposit into travel planning.
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