The United States has implemented a new visa bond program affecting travelers from 50 countries, requiring them to pay a bond of up to $20,000 before being granted a visa. This measure targets individuals deemed likely to overstay their visas and fail to return to their country of origin. The State Department announced the policy as a deterrent to unlawful immigration. However, India is notably absent from the list of countries subject to these bond requirements. Officials have not yet publicly detailed the criteria used to determine which nations were included, leading to speculation about the factors influencing the decision. The policy aims to address concerns about national security and compliance with immigration laws, but has drawn criticism for potentially impacting legitimate travel. The list of affected countries includes several nations in Africa and the Middle East.