On August 3, the United States will make its Visa Bond Program permanent. Applicants must qualify before the bond is imposedA bond does not make an applicant eligible for a visa. Visa processing is also moving farther awayThe permanent bond program is not occurring in isolation. So does the fact that many African countries simultaneously face full or partial visa suspensions and the loss of local visa-processing services. The permanent Visa Bond Program may produce fewer overstays.