Georgia visitors pay up to $15,000 under U.S. B-1/B-2 visa bond pilot

How the U.S. visa bond pilot reaches Georgia

The U.S. State Department added Georgia to its B-1/B-2 visa bond pilot for applications decided on or after April 2, 2026, requiring some Georgian citizens to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 before a short-term visitor visa is issued.

The pilot was created by a Temporary Final Rule published in the Federal Register on Aug. 5, 2025 and runs through Aug. 5, 2026 unless extended. It targets nationals of countries with elevated visitor overstay rates flagged in the Department of Homeland Security Entry/Exit Overstay Report. Consular officers decide whether a bond applies on a case-by-case basis and set the tier based on perceived overstay risk.

Bonds issued under the pilot come with tight travel conditions. Visas are single-entry, valid for roughly three months, with a maximum stay near 30 days. Travelers must enter and exit through designated commercial airports, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection pre-clearance locations.

Who gets pulled in

The bond applies only to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas, including combined B-1/B-2. Student (F-1), exchange (J-1) and work visas like H-1B sit outside the pilot.

Georgian tourists, business travelers, conference attendees and short-term family visitors fall squarely in scope. Remote workers attempting to enter on a B-1/B-2 to work for a non-U.S. employer while traveling could also be hit, because consulates typically slot those trips into the B-1/B-2 category.

Long-term expats moving on work or study visas aren't directly affected, though the upfront cash requirement reshapes the math for anyone planning short scouting trips before a bigger move.

What applicants need to do

Selected applicants must complete DHS Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) and pay through the U.S. Treasury's Pay.gov platform. The visa is issued only after the bond posts.

• $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 bond, set by the consular officer
• Single-entry visa, roughly 3-month validity, about 30-day maximum stay
• Entry and exit through approved commercial airports only
• Refund issued if the traveler departs on time or never uses the visa
• Forfeiture if the traveler overstays or breaches conditions

Bonds posted before Aug. 5, 2026 remain in force under their original terms even after the pilot itself expires.

Read our full Georgia guide for the complete picture and follow our visa updates for ongoing changes.