US imposes visa bond on Kyrgyz citizens from January 21

Starting January 21, 2026, Kyrgyz citizens applying for US tourist and business visas (B1/B2) will be subject to a visa bond requirement under a pilot program, the US State Department announced.

The measure aims to reduce instances of overstaying visa periods, Caliber.Az reports via Kyrgyz media.

The visa bond is an additional monetary deposit, set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, determined individually by the consular officer during the interview. Payment is required only if the visa is approved, at the officer’s discretion, and does not guarantee visa issuance.

The requirement applies to Kyrgyz citizens meeting standard visa criteria and instructed by the consulate to pay the bond, regardless of the country where the application is submitted.

Applicants pay the bond only after official notification and by submitting Form I-352 via the government payment system Pay.gov. Third-party services are prohibited, and funds submitted without a consular instruction are non-refundable.

The bond is refunded if the applicant leaves the US before the visa expires, does not travel to the US, or is denied entry at the border. Conversely, the bond may be forfeited in cases of overstaying, remaining in the US beyond the permitted period, or applying for status changes, including asylum. Violations are referred to the US immigration authorities for action.

Additionally, travellers who pay the bond must enter and exit the US through three designated airports only: Boston (BOS), New York (JFK), and Washington Dulles (IAD). Failure to comply may result in difficulties with departure records and potential forfeiture of the bond.

The program effectively establishes financial accountability for compliance with US visa regulations, based on patterns of overstays by foreign nationals.

By Jeyhun Aghazada