US visa bond made mandatory for citizens of 50 countries, including Nepal

The United States has made visa bonds mandatory for citizens of 50 countries, including Nepal, who apply for B-1/B-2 visas for tourist and business purposes. The US State Department made public a revised list of countries on Friday whose citizens must post such bonds.

Applicants from listed countries must deposit a bond of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000 during their interview, as specified by the consular officer.

Among South Asian countries, Bangladesh and Bhutan are also on the list, while India has been exempted. According to the State Department, the provision came into effect for citizens of Nepal and Bangladesh on January 21. Bhutan had been on the list since January 1.

Other countries in Africa, the Caribbean, Central Asia and the Pacific region are also on the list.

At Nepal Rastra Bank's selling rate today of Rs 154.41 per dollar, $20,000 equals about Rs 3.09 million.