With Donald Trump's rise to power, the immigration policy of the United States underwent significant changes. One of the important innovations was the expulsion of illegal migrants, which became the basis for the introduction of the visa bond.
The new list includes countries from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. In Central Asia, this list includes Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. For citizens of Kyrgyzstan, the visa bond requirement will come into effect on January 21, 2026.
Statistics on B1/B2 visas for citizens of Kyrgyzstan
According to the U.S. State Department, from March 2017 to May 2025, 34,888 B1/B2 visas were issued to citizens of Kyrgyzstan. The number of visas issued gradually increased, despite a slight decline in 2020-2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, before the pandemic, about 1,700-1,800 visas were issued annually, and by 2023, this number had risen to 9,000-10,000 visas per year.
The data indicates that most citizens use B1/B2 visas for short-term business trips and tourist visits to the U.S.
Understanding the visa bond
The visa bond is the amount that must be paid when obtaining a B1/B2 visa. The size of this bond can be $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 and is set by the consular officer during the interview.
The bond is only collected if the applicant meets the other requirements for obtaining a visa.
Conditions for the return of the visa bond:
- The citizen left the U.S. before the visa expired.
- The visa was not used.
- The applicant was denied entry at the border.
Reasons for withholding the bond:
- Exceeding the allowed length of stay.
- Illegal stay in the U.S.
- Applying for a change of immigration status, including a request for asylum.
Restrictions for holders of bonds
Bonds allow crossing the border once within three months and require entry through specific airports:
- Boston (BOS)
- New York (JFK)
- Washington (IAD)
U.S. border services may also set a length of stay in the country of no more than 30 days.
