US Expands Visa Bond Requirement to 12 More Countries

News Desk 

Washington: The United States government has announced that citizens of 12 additional countries will be required to post a security bond of up to $15,000 when applying for certain visas, as part of a policy aimed at tightening immigration under President Donald Trump’s administration.

The measure, issued by the US State Department, applies to B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visa applicants. The bond amount will be determined during the visa interview and will fall into one of three tiers: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.

The 12 countries newly subject to this requirement are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia. 

The policy takes effect on April 2, bringing the total number of countries under the Visa Bond Program to approximately 50, including most African nations.

According to US officials, the program is intended to prevent overstays beyond the authorized visa period. Data shows that 97% of the roughly 1,000 visas issued under the program have complied with the return requirement.

Authorities stressed that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval, and the amount is refundable if the application is denied or visa conditions are fully met.

The expansion of the bond requirement comes as part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration measures following his re-election in January 2025. The government has already suspended immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, launched large-scale deportation campaigns, and announced plans to cut refugee admissions to historic lows.

This latest step underscores the administration’s continued push for strict immigration control, targeting both legal and illegal entry into the United States.