A report says a $20,000 bond programme for B-1/B-2 applicants has been made permanent. The article examines its possible impact on applicants.
A news headline dated 5 October 2026 claims that the United States has made a $20,000 visa bond programme permanent for B-1/B-2 applicants. A potential financial requirement of this kind is relevant to people planning US visa applications from Türkiye. However, the supplied material consists only of a headline and does not include the official rule, implementation instructions or detailed eligibility conditions.
Coverage of Turkish citizens is not established
The available information does not show that Turkish citizens are subject to the reported bond requirement. It also does not clarify the position of other nationals applying while resident in Türkiye. The report should therefore not be interpreted as saying that every B-1/B-2 applicant in Türkiye must pay $20,000. Both coverage and the applicable amount require confirmation from the relevant US authorities.
The amount described as a bond should not be presented as the standard visa application fee. The supplied summary does not explain when payment might be requested, which applicants would be affected or what refund conditions might apply. It also provides no legal text or effective date supporting the claim that the programme has become permanent.
Questions to resolve before any payment
- Does the programme cover the applicant’s nationality and visa category?
- Is a bond required for the individual application, and what is the exact amount?
- When does the requirement take effect, and does it affect pending applications?
- What are the authorised payment channel, payment deadline and any refund conditions?
These questions identify gaps in the report; they are not new application instructions. A headline alone is not a sufficient basis for making a payment, cancelling an application or treating a potential additional cost as a confirmed part of the travel budget.
The item merits attention because of its possible financial significance, but its direct effect on applicants from Türkiye remains unverified. Until official coverage information is available, it cannot be described as a confirmed change affecting all such applicants. The publication date likewise does not establish when any requirement starts.
Kaynak: The American Bazaar