Starting April 2, 2026, U.S. authorities are significantly strengthening their approach to visitor visas (B-1/B-2) through the expansion of the Visa Bond Pilot Program (VBPP) to 12 additional nationalities, bringing the total to 50 restricted nationalities.
This development marks a shift in the management of short-term mobility to the United States, with increased reliance on financial guarantee mechanisms.
A Targeted and More Restrictive Framework
The program now applies to a broader list of nationalities considered to present higher risks. For affected applicants, entry and stay conditions may become significantly more restrictive.
Measures that may be imposed include:
- issuance of a single-entry visa,
- a maximum stay limited to 30 days,
- a financial bond of up to USD 15,000.
This bond is refundable only if all conditions of stay are strictly complied with, including timely departure and absence of unauthorized activities.
Operational Impacts for Employers
The expansion of the VBPP has direct consequences for companies managing business travel to the United States.
Key challenges include:
- increased complexity in organizing short-term assignments,
- potential longer consular processing times,
- heightened compliance risks, particularly regarding the tracking of entries and exits .
These changes require HR and global mobility teams to anticipate travel needs more carefully and reinforce internal compliance processes.
A Broader Trend Toward Stricter Immigration Control
Beyond its operational impact, the extension of the Visa Bond Pilot Program reflects a broader trend toward stricter immigration control in the United States. It signals a clear intent by authorities to tighten oversight of short-term stays.
Conclusion
The tightening of B-1/B-2 visa conditions represents a key compliance issue for international businesses. Understanding and anticipating these new requirements is essential to ensure secure and compliant business travel to the United States.
This alert was prepared based on the information shared by our partner Bruna Frota and her team from INLG, and published with their permission.