Brazil Teams Up with Mexico, China, Thailand, and Others in Remaining Exempt from New US Visa Bond Pilot Program, Continuing the Standard Visa Process Without a Refundable Security Deposit: Everything You Need to Know

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Brazil teams up with Mexico, China, Thailand, and others in remaining exempt from the new US Visa Bond Pilot Program, allowing travellers from these major outbound markets to continue the standard visa process without a refundable security deposit because they are not among the designated countries covered by the pilot. This means eligible B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants from Brazil, Mexico, China, Thailand and other exempt nations do not need to pay the US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000 bond now required for select travellers from higher-overstay-risk countries. Everything you need to know is that the exemption keeps travel planning more predictable for tourists, business visitors, families, medical travellers and conference delegates, while the usual US visa interview, documentation checks and immigration compliance rules remain firmly in place.

US Visa Bond Pilot Introduces Refundable Security Deposits for Select Tourists

The US Visa Bond Pilot Program has introduced a refundable security deposit of US$5,000, US$10,000, or US$15,000 for select B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist/medical) visa applicants from designated countries. Originally launched as a one-year pilot from August 2025 to August 2026, the program aims to reduce visa overstays by creating a financial incentive for travellers to comply with immigration rules. Consular officers determine the bond amount during the visa interview, while payments must be made electronically through Pay.gov using Form I-352 only after official instructions are issued. Eligible travellers receive a single-entry visa valid for three months with a maximum authorised stay of 30 days. The full bond is refunded once visitors depart the United States on time and comply with all visa conditions, while violations such as overstays or unauthorised employment can result in complete forfeiture of the deposit.

Brazil: Brazilian Travelers Continue Using the Standard U.S. Visitor Visa Process Without the New Bond Requirement

Brazilian travellers are not included in the U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program, meaning eligible applicants for B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas continue to follow the long-established U.S. visa application process without paying a refundable security deposit of US$5,000, US$10,000, or US$15,000. This provides certainty for thousands of Brazilians who regularly visit the United States for holidays, business meetings, education-related visits, shopping, medical treatment, and to see family and friends. Brazil remains one of Latin America’s largest outbound travel markets to the U.S., supported by frequent direct flights and strong commercial ties. Applicants must still complete the standard visa interview, provide supporting documents, and satisfy all U.S. immigration requirements, but they are not required to participate in the visa bond pilot.

Mexico: Cross-Border Travel Continues Without Additional Financial Barriers

Mexico has been excluded from the Visa Bond Pilot Program despite being one of the United States’ closest travel and trading partners. Mexican citizens applying for B-1 and B-2 visas continue following the standard application process without paying a refundable security bond. Millions of cross-border journeys occur each year for tourism, business, medical appointments, shopping, family visits, and cultural exchanges, making smooth visa processing particularly important. Applicants are still required to complete the normal visa interview, provide supporting documentation, and satisfy U.S. immigration laws. The absence of the bond requirement helps preserve existing travel flows while maintaining the regular immigration screening procedures that already govern visitor visa issuance.

China: Chinese Visitors Continue Under the Regular B-1 and B-2 Visa System

China is not among the countries designated under the U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program, allowing Chinese citizens applying for B-1 and B-2 visas to continue using the traditional visa process without any refundable security deposit. The United States remains an important destination for Chinese business travellers, tourists, students’ family members, medical visitors, and people attending conferences or exhibitions. Applicants must continue meeting all existing documentation, interview, and eligibility requirements established by U.S. consular authorities. Although the bond requirement does not apply, visa approval remains subject to individual assessment. The exemption from the pilot program means Chinese travellers can plan short-term business and leisure visits without the additional financial obligation imposed on nationals from designated countries.

Thailand: Thai Travelers Continue Applying Through the Established Visitor Visa Process

Thailand is not covered by the U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program, allowing Thai nationals seeking B-1 or B-2 visas to continue using the established visitor visa process without making a refundable bond payment. Thai travellers frequently visit the United States for holidays, business activities, family reunions, cultural exchanges, and medical purposes. They remain subject to the standard visa interview and documentation requirements administered by U.S. embassies and consulates. While every application is individually assessed, the absence of the bond program removes an additional financial obligation that now applies to travellers from designated countries, providing greater certainty when planning legitimate short-term visits to the United States.

Malaysia: Malaysian Visitors Maintain Access to the Standard U.S. Visa Application System

Malaysia remains outside the Visa Bond Pilot Program, meaning Malaysian applicants for B-1 and B-2 visas continue following the regular U.S. visitor visa process without paying a refundable security deposit. Malaysians travel to the United States for tourism, corporate travel, international conferences, investment opportunities, family visits, and healthcare services. Standard visa procedures, including interviews, eligibility reviews, and document verification, remain unchanged. While applicants must continue demonstrating their intention to comply with U.S. immigration regulations, they are not subject to the additional financial safeguards introduced for nationals of the designated countries. This ensures continuity for travellers and businesses maintaining close links between Malaysia and the United States.

Vietnam: Vietnamese Travelers Continue Using Traditional U.S. Visitor Visa Procedures

Vietnam has not been included in the Visa Bond Pilot Program, allowing Vietnamese citizens applying for B-1 and B-2 visas to continue using the existing U.S. visitor visa framework without paying a refundable security bond. Travel between Vietnam and the United States continues to grow through tourism, business cooperation, family reunification, and cultural exchanges. Applicants must still satisfy all existing immigration requirements, including visa interviews and documentation supporting the purpose of travel. However, unlike applicants from countries participating in the pilot, Vietnamese travellers do not face the additional financial commitment associated with refundable visa bonds, helping maintain predictable travel planning for legitimate short-term visits.

Pakistan: Pakistani Applicants Continue Under Existing U.S. Visitor Visa Rules

Pakistan is not included in the current Visa Bond Pilot Program despite significant travel links with the United States. Pakistani citizens applying for B-1 business or B-2 tourist visas continue using the standard U.S. visa process without paying a refundable bond. Many travellers visit the United States for business meetings, tourism, family reunions, medical treatment, and community events. Every application continues to undergo detailed security, eligibility, and immigration assessments conducted by U.S. consular officers. The absence of the visa bond requirement means eligible Pakistani applicants are not subject to the additional financial conditions introduced for nationals of the fifty designated countries.

India: Indian Travelers Continue Benefiting from the Standard U.S. Visitor Visa Framework

India remains exempt from the Visa Bond Pilot Program, allowing Indian citizens applying for B-1 and B-2 visas to continue following the long-established U.S. visitor visa process without paying a refundable security deposit. India represents one of the largest international travel markets for the United States, with millions of journeys taking place for business, tourism, family visits, healthcare, conferences, and religious purposes. Applicants must still complete the normal application process, attend visa interviews, and satisfy all immigration requirements before receiving approval. Since the refundable bond does not apply, Indian travellers continue planning short-term visits without facing the additional financial requirement imposed on designated countries.

Sri Lanka: Sri Lankan Visitors Continue Using the Regular U.S. Visa Process

Sri Lanka is not among the countries participating in the U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program. As a result, Sri Lankan citizens applying for B-1 and B-2 visas continue using the standard visitor visa process without paying a refundable bond. Sri Lankan travellers regularly visit the United States for tourism, business, education-related family travel, medical treatment, and to reunite with relatives living abroad. Applicants remain subject to the normal visa interview process, eligibility assessments, and supporting documentation requirements. While the United States continues enforcing its existing immigration rules, Sri Lankan visitors are not affected by the new refundable bond system introduced for selected countries with higher historical visa overstay rates.

Fifty Countries Covered Under the U.S. Visa Bond Pilot Program

Standard Visa Process Brings Relief for Major Travel Markets

For travellers from Brazil, Mexico, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam, Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, and other exempt nations, the absence of the new US Visa Bond Pilot Program offers major relief. Eligible B-1 business and B-2 tourist visa applicants from these countries can continue using the standard U.S. visa process without paying a refundable security deposit of US$5,000, US$10,000, or US$15,000. This keeps travel planning more predictable for tourists, families, students’ relatives, medical visitors, business delegates, and conference travellers. However, applicants must still complete the usual visa application, attend interviews when required, submit documents, and prove temporary travel intent before approval.

Brazil Teams Up with Mexico, China, Thailand, and Others in remaining exempt from new US Visa Bond Pilot Program, continuing the standard visa process without a refundable security deposit because they are not included among designated high-risk countries.

In conclusion Brazil Teams Up with Mexico, China, Thailand, and Others in remaining exempt from new US Visa Bond Pilot Program, continuing the standard visa process without a refundable security deposit because these countries are not included among the designated high-risk categories under the pilot framework. This exemption ensures that eligible travellers from Brazil, Mexico, China, Thailand, and other unaffected nations can continue accessing the United States through the established B-1 and B-2 visa system without facing additional financial barriers such as US$5,000, US$10,000, or US$15,000 bonds. As a result, global mobility remains stable for tourism, business, medical travel, and family visits, while the pilot program remains focused only on select countries with higher historical overstay concerns, reinforcing targeted immigration compliance without disrupting major international travel flows.