US Turkmenistan Visa Bond Pilot Program: A $15,000 Barrier for Travelers

Imagine being asked to pay a bond of up to $15,000 when your average monthly salary is just $141. That's the stark reality for citizens of Turkmenistan as of January 1, 2026. The U.S. State Department has quietly expanded its visa bond pilot program, making it nearly impossible for most Turkmen to visit the United States.

Expanding the US Turkmenistan Visa Bond Pilot Program

Under the 12-month pilot program, travelers from selected countries applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas must post a reimbursable bond. The amounts are set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. This move targets nations with high visa overstay rates or those with deficient vetting information. It's a significant shift, especially since Turkmenistan recently saw other visa restrictions removed by the Trump administration.

According to the Progres Foundation, the black market exchange rate puts the average Turkmen salary at approximately 2,750 manat ($141). For an average citizen, the $15,000 bond represents years of income, effectively pricing them out of U.S. travel. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump announced a 'Gold Card' visa in September 2025 for those who can 'gift' $1 million to the government, highlighting a growing wealth-based immigration divide.

Data vs. Reality: Contextualizing Overstay Rates

The justification for these bonds rests on the 2023 overstay data. The Department of Homeland Security reported that 15.35% of Turkmen B-visa holders overstayed. However, in absolute terms, this was only 142 individuals. Turkmenistan is an isolated nation, and very few citizens get visas in the first place, which skews percentage-based assessments.

Furthermore, many overstays since 2020 aren't intentional. The Turkmen government's own policy of not renewing passports at embassies abroad left many citizens with no legal way to maintain their status or travel back. Critics argue that using these figures to justify exclusionary bonds ignores the genuine threat assessment and punishes citizens for their government's failings.