Archive · 7 Jan 2026
US Expands Visa Bond Rule to 7 More Countries
The US government has added seven more countries to a list where people need to pay a big security bond to get a visa.
This makes it harder and more expensive for people from these countries to visit the US.
The bond can be up to $15,000, and it's meant to make sure people don't stay in the US longer than their visa allows.
The money is returned if the visa is refused or if the visitor follows the visa rules.
This is part of stricter rules the US has been putting in place for visas.
The US has added seven more countries to its visa bond requirement list, bringing the total to 13.
The new countries include Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and Namibia.
The bond requirement ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 and is aimed at deterring visa overstays.
The policy is part of broader US entry rules, including mandatory in-person interviews and social media history disclosures.
The bonds are refundable if the visa is refused or if the visa holder complies with the terms of the visa.
- Who
- Visa applicants from 13 countries, mostly in Africa
- What
- Expansion of a policy requiring security bonds for visas
- When
- Effective January 1, 2024
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To deter visa overstays by applicants from certain countries
- Number of Countries Affected
- 13
- Bond Amount Range
- $5,000 to $15,000
- Newly Added Countries
- Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia
- Effective Date
- January 1, 2024
- Purpose of Bonds
- Deter visa overstays
Sources
US expands $15,000 visa bond rule to 7 more countries, list now stands at 13: Here's what it means
Citizens of 7 more countries need to now pay $15,000 bonds to apply for US visas
Trump Visa Bond: Full List Of Countries Whose Citizens Need To $15,000 Bond To Apply For US Visa
US adds more nations, including Venezuela, to costly visa bond policy
US expands visa bond policy to 38 countries, applicants may pay up to $15,000
Venezuela among 25 new countries facing US visa bond requirement of up to $15,000 - Telegraph India
