U.S. Expands Visa Bond Requirement to 50 Countries

The United States Department of State is expanding its visa bond program to include 12 additional countries, bringing the total to 50 nations whose citizens may be required to post a financial guarantee to obtain B1 business or B2 tourism visas. Effective April 2, 2026, the new additions include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.

Consular officers will determine bond amounts of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 based on an applicant's individual risk profile during the visa interview. The bonds are fully refundable if the traveler complies with the terms of their stay, does not travel, or if the visa application is denied. However, funds are forfeited if the traveler overstays their visa or applies for asylum.

Implemented by the Donald Trump administration as part of a broader hard-line immigration strategy, the program aims to reduce illegal overstays and lower the cost of deporting undocumented migrants, which can exceed $18,000 per case. The State Department reports that nearly 97% of the approximately 1,000 previous participants adhered to their visa terms and claims the program saves taxpayers up to $800 million annually.

Human rights groups and critics have condemned the policy, arguing that the high upfront costs are discriminatory against low-income travelers from developing nations and create a significant barrier to entry for tourism and business.