US EditionUS Expands List of Countries Whose Citizens Must Pay up to $15,000 Bonds to Apply for Visas
The U.S. State Department expanded the visa bond pilot to 38 countries, requiring bonds up to $15,000 to reduce overstays, effective Jan. 21, 2026.
- On Jan. 1, the U.S. State Department posted a notice adding seven countries to a visa bond requirement, with citizens potentially posting up to $15,000, effective immediately.
- The Trump administration says the step extends a wider tightening of entry requirements, including requiring in-person interviews and social media disclosures, with bond posting for B1/B2 visa applicants first introduced in August 2025.
- Consular officers at U.S. embassies and consulates will direct applicants from listed countries to post bonds, which are refundable if visas are denied or terms are met, but payment does not guarantee issuance.
- Thirteen countries are now subject to the bond rule, all but two in Africa, making short-term travel for family or business unaffordable under U.S. government immigration policy.
- In the coming months, DHS may add more countries as it reviews overstaying patterns, with 2024 refusal rates highest for Guinea-Bissau and Guinea , plus Turkmenistan and Bhutan .
162 Articles
162 Articles
The State Department updated the list of nations whose citizens will have to pay refundable bonds to apply for B1-B2 visas.
Travelling to US? People from 38 countries, including Nepal and Bangladesh, will need visa bonds — check details
The US has expanded its visa bond list, now requiring bonds from 38 countries, nearly tripling the total. Here's the full list of countries whose passport holders would now require a bond to enter America.
U.S. includes Venezuela and Cuba on a list of 25 new countries whose citizens must deposit bonds to apply for visas
The U.S. government has included Venezuela and Cuba on a list of 25 new countries whose citizens must deposit bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for entry into the United States, as specified this week by the State Department.
State Department adds 25 more countries to $15,000 visa bond requirement
The Trump administration has nearly tripled the number of countries whose passport holders must post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for U.S. visas, expanding the list from 13 to 38 nations predominantly in Africa, Latin America and Asia.
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