Kathmandu, Aug. 1 -- The US Department of State has announced that it will make its visa bond programme permanent for citizens of 50 countries, including Nepal, effective from Monday. Soon after the State Department introduced the scheme as a pilot programme last year, the Nepali government took up the issue with senior US officials, urging them to review the policy.

The move makes permanent a 12-month Visa Bond Pilot Program that took effect on August 20, 2025. The scheme applies to certain applicants for temporary business and tourist (B1/B2) visas.

This rule finalises the temporary final rule that went into effect on August 20, 2025, which launched a 12-month long Visa Bond Pilot Program (Pilot Program), and establishes a permanent v...