Short answer: As of October 2, 2026, Turkey is not on the Department of State’s list of countries subject to visitor-visa bonds. A person applying on a Turkish passport is therefore not required to post a bond merely because of Turkish nationality. The list can change, however, and coverage follows the program’s nationality and passport rules rather than simply the location of the visa interview.
The Department of State made the visa bond program permanent after a pilot launched in 2025. Under the permanent rule, a consular officer may require an otherwise eligible covered B-1/B-2 applicant to post a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000. Those amounts should not be confused with the pilot’s older $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000 levels.
The program at a glance
| Question | Permanent 2026 program |
|---|---|
| Covered visas | B-1, B-2 and B-1/B-2 visitor visas |
| Bond levels | $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 |
| Is Turkey listed | No, as of October 2, 2026 |
| When to pay | Only after a consular officer instructs the applicant |
| Payment channel | Official Pay.gov link and Form I-352 process |
| Does payment guarantee a visa | No |
| Who receives a refund | The recorded obligor who posted the bond |
What does a visa bond do
The Department of State’s final rule creates a permanent program under INA 221(g)(3). It allows a bond to be required from certain temporary visitors to encourage compliance with nonimmigrant status and timely departure.
A bond is not the visa application fee. It is a refundable security deposit imposed after the applicant is found otherwise eligible for the visitor visa. Posting it does not guarantee issuance, admission at a port of entry or any particular period of stay. Standard eligibility, screening and discretion continue to apply.
The program is directed to business and tourist visitors, not every U.S. visa category. A visitor already in the United States who needs more time faces a separate analysis discussed in our B-2 extension guide.
Why are the permanent amounts $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000
The final rule gives consular officers three standardized levels. The amount can reflect the applicant’s circumstances, U.S. contacts, travel plan and assessed risk of failing to depart. The rule permits a bond up to $20,000 and provides a mechanism for future inflation adjustments.
Older government pages and online summaries may still display $5,000, $10,000 and $15,000. Those figures belong to the temporary pilot that began on August 20, 2025. The permanent final rule uses $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000. During the transition, applicants should follow the written consular instruction applicable to their case and should not rely on an old screenshot.
Is Turkey on the visa bond country list
Turkey does not appear on the Department of State’s current Countries Subject to Visa Bonds page. The page lists designated countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
Dual nationality can complicate the answer. A Turkish citizen applying with a passport from a listed country may be treated under the rules for that passport or nationality. The list is also not frozen. The final rule allows the Department to update designated countries through its official website. Applicants should check the live list shortly before applying and again before the interview.
This program is distinct from immigrant visa pauses, travel restrictions and public-charge bonds. For a separate country-policy discussion, see our analysis of the 75-country Green Card policies and Turkey.
How is the bond posted
An applicant should not search Pay.gov and attempt to post a bond independently. The process begins only after a consular officer provides an official instruction and payment link. The bond is documented through Form I-352.
The applicant or a third party may pay. The person who posts the bond is recorded as the obligor and receives the refund if cancellation conditions are met. The name on Form I-352 must match the payer’s name. Payment and refund are in U.S. dollars, so the payer bears currency-exchange risk.
Fraud prevention matters. Do not send money to an agent, unofficial website or person promising a guaranteed bond or visa. A payment made outside the government process may not be protected or refundable. A consular officer will not require payment through cryptocurrency, gift cards or a personal bank transfer.
What travel conditions apply
The traveler must comply with the visa, admission and I-94 conditions, depart by the authorized date and use permitted channels for entry and exit. The permanent framework centers on commercial airports, including CBP preclearance locations. Travel through land, sea, charter or general aviation channels can prevent proper verification and may cause a bond problem.
Visa validity and authorized stay are not the same. The visa controls when the person may seek admission; the I-94 records the period authorized after a particular entry. The bond holder must monitor the I-94 date, not simply the visa expiration or return ticket.
A timely extension or change-of-status filing requires careful handling. The final rule can protect certain properly filed and approved applications from being treated as a breach, but filing an application does not automatically excuse every overstay or unauthorized activity. Advice should be obtained before changing the travel plan.
When is the bond refunded or breached
Cancellation and refund generally may occur when:
- DHS records show timely departure on or before the authorized-stay date.
- The visa holder never travels before the visa expires.
- The person applies for admission but is refused at the port of entry.
Potential breach situations include departing late, remaining beyond the authorized date or taking action inconsistent with the bond terms. DHS may refer a suspected breach for USCIS determination. Losing the bond does not replace other consequences of an overstay or status violation; future visa eligibility and admission may be affected separately.
Frequently asked questions
Could Turkey be added later
Yes. The Department may update the designated-country list. Check the official page near the application and interview dates.
Does posting a bond guarantee visa approval
No. The bond is one condition. The consular officer still assesses eligibility, security, credibility and nonimmigrant intent.
May a relative or employer post the bond
Yes. A third party may pay, but the obligor name on Form I-352 must match the payer and any refund goes to that obligor.
Does the program apply to all U.S. visas
No. This program concerns B-1/B-2 visitor visas. A public-charge bond in an immigrant visa case is a different legal process.
Conclusion
The B-1/B-2 visa bond program is now permanent, with bond levels of $10,000, $15,000 and $20,000. Turkey is not on the official country list as of October 2, 2026. Because designations and procedures may change, applicants should verify the government page and never pay before receiving an official instruction. For case-specific advice, contact Clinch Law Firm.
Legal information notice: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Country designations, bond amounts and travel conditions may change. Information was checked as of October 2, 2026.
