DOS TEMPORARY FINAL RULE CREATES VISA BOND PILOT PROGRAM FOR CERTAIN B-1/B-2 APPLICANTS

The Department of State (DOS) promulgated a temporary final rule on November 24, 2020, creating a temporary pilot program to assess the agency’s technical ability to require a Maintenance of Status and Departure Bond (visa bond) from B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa applicants from countries with a 10% or higher overstay rate in the B-1/B-2 category. The Pilot Program’s stated purpose is to assess the operational feasibility of posting, processing, and discharging visa bonds in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The pilot program commenced when the temporary final rule became effective on December 24, 2020 and will conclude on June 24, 2021.

DOS LINK: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/11/24/2020-24223/visas-visa-bond-pilot-program