Bahrain Left Out of US Visa Bond Scheme
Bahrain and the other Gulf states have been left out of a new US visa bond rule requiring some visitors from 50 countries to pay up to $15,000 before travelling.
The scheme applies to nationals travelling on passports issued by the listed countries who qualify for B-1 business visas, B-2 tourist visas or combined B-1/B-2 visas.
Applicants covered by the rule must pay a bond. A US consular officer will decide during theinterview whether the sum is $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000.
The money must be paid through the US Government’s Pay.gov website after the applicant is told to complete Form I-352.
The State Department warned travellers not to pay before receiving instructions, as money sent without consular approval might not be returned.
A relative, friend or business partner can pay on the applicant’s behalf. Any refund will go to the person named as the obligor who paid the bond.
The full sum will usually be returned if the traveller leaves the US before the end of the permitted stay, does not use the visa before it expires or is refused entry at a US airport.
Those who overstay, fail to leave or seek a change in immigration status, including asylum, risk losing the money after their case is reviewed.
Paying the bond does not mean a visa will be granted. The applicant must still meet all US immigration rules, and the final decision rests with the consular officer.
Bond holders can enter and leave through commercial airports, including US pre-clearance airports. They cannot travel through land or sea ports or on private or charter flights.
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