Trump Administration Expands Visa Bond Requirements to 38 Nations

The administration of Donald Trump expanded a visa bond pilot program in January 2026, eventually requiring citizens of 38 countries to post refundable bonds between $5,000 and $15,000 when applying for B1 business or B2 tourism visas. The program began with 13 countries on January 1, including Botswana and Turkmenistan, before adding 25 more nations—including Bangladesh, Nigeria, and Kyrgyzstan—effective January 21. The policy targets countries with high overstay rates, security concerns, or citizenship-by-investment schemes.

Consular officers determine the specific bond amount during interviews. Payments must be made exclusively through the U.S. Treasury's Pay.gov platform. Bonds are refundable upon timely departure or visa denial but are forfeited if the traveler overstays or applies for asylum. Additionally, bond holders are restricted to entering and exiting the U.S. through designated airports, such as John F. Kennedy International, Washington Dulles, and Boston Logan.

These measures are part of a broader crackdown on immigration that includes mandatory in-person interviews, disclosure of five years of social media history, and health screenings. The policy sparked diplomatic friction; Kyrgyzstan's Edil Baisalov called for a review of visa-free access for U.S. citizens, while Bangladesh's Md Touhid Hossain described the move as "unfortunate and painful" and sought diplomatic exemptions. Meanwhile, the U.S. simultaneously extended travel bans for 12 African nations, citing national security concerns.