The United States has expanded its visa security bond program, requiring applicants from 12 additional countries to pay a bond of up to $15,000 as part of stricter immigration measures introduced under President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the new requirement applies mainly to applicants seeking B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas. The bond amount will be determined during the visa interview and may be set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 depending on the applicant’s profile.
The newly added countries include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
The updated policy will take effect from April 2, bringing the total number of countries covered under the visa bond program to around 50, with a large number of them located in Africa.
U.S. officials say the program is designed to curb visa overstays and ensure that visitors comply with their permitted duration of stay. They clarified that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval. If an application is denied or if the traveler leaves the United States within the allowed time, the bond will be refunded.
The move is part of broader immigration measures introduced since President Trump returned to office in January 2025, including tighter visa regulations and expanded deportation policies aimed at strengthening border control.
