WASHINGTON: Pakistan has not been included among the 50 countries whose citizens may be required to pay a refundable security deposit of up to $20,000 before receiving a US visitor visa under a new programme that came into effect on August 1.
The list published in the US Federal Register excludes Pakistan. Among South Asian nations, Bangladesh and Nepal are covered by the programme, while India has also been left off the list.
Afghanistan and Iran are not included because the United States does not maintain normal diplomatic relations with either country.
The US State Department said the decision followed an assessment of the 2025 pilot programme, which it said had significantly reduced visa overstays among travellers from participating countries and improved compliance with immigration regulations.
According to the department, travellers from the 50 participating countries recorded 45,488 visa overstays in 2024. During the first 10 months of the pilot programme, however, the number of overstays fell to fewer than 50.
Officials also said the bond requirement led to fewer visa applications being completed, as some applicants chose not to proceed after being asked to provide the financial guarantee.
Diplomatic sources confirmed to Dawn that “Pakistan is not on the list of countries covered by the programme”.
Bond requirement
The programme applies to applicants seeking B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas from countries included in the scheme.
Under the new regulations, US consular officers may require selected applicants to provide a refundable bond ranging from $10,000 to $20,000 before a visa is issued.
The policy permanently replaces the pilot programme introduced in 2025 after US authorities concluded that it had helped reduce visa overstays.
The updated rules also raise the maximum bond from $15,000 to $20,000 while removing the previous minimum bond of $5,000 that was available under the pilot phase.
The programme covers 50 countries, including 30 African nations as well as several countries in Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Applicants who comply with all visa conditions and leave the United States before their authorised stay expires will receive their bond back. Those who overstay or violate visa conditions may forfeit the deposit.
The State Department clarified that the bond requirement will not automatically apply to every applicant from participating countries. Instead, US consular officers will decide on a case-by-case basis whether a bond should be required before issuing a visa.
