DOS Adds Countries Subject to Visa Bonds and Expands Ports of Entry

The Department of State (DOS) has identified nationals from a list of countries as needing visa bonds. Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The amount is determined at the time of the visa interview.

All visa holders who have posted a visa bond must enter and exit the United States through one of the designated ports of entry listed below. Failure to do so might lead to a denied entry or a departure that is not properly recorded, DOS said. The earliest date on which a visa holder who posted a visa bond may enter or exit at each port of entry is in parentheses. Additional designated ports of entry will be added on a rolling basis:

• Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) (August 20, 2025)
• John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) (August 20, 2025)
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) (August 20, 2025)
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) (January 1, 2026)
• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) (January 1, 2026)
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) (January 1, 2026)
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) (January 1, 2026)
• Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) (January 1, 2026)
• Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL) (January 1, 2026)

The applicant must also submit a Form I-352 with the Department of Homeland Security. Applicants must agree to the terms of the bond through the Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform Pay.gov. This requirement applies regardless of place of application, DOS said.

Applicants should submit Form I-352 to post a bond only after a consular officer directs them to do so. Applicants will receive a direct payment link through Pay.gov. They must not use any third-party website for posting the bond, according to DOS.

This is posting is for informational purposes and is not intended as legal advice. If you require further assistance or advice relating to the above, please contact our Partner, Catherine Betancourt at catherine@flynnhodkinson.com.