US makes visa bond scheme permanent for Nepalis, others

Maximum bond raised to $20,000 for certain B1/B2 applicants

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.