United States Expands $15,000 Visa Bond Requirement to More Countries

The United States has expanded its visa bond requirement, now including additional countries and placing new financial obligations on travellers seeking entry, officials said on Monday.

Under the updated policy, citizens from seven newly added countries, including Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea‑Bissau, Namibia, Turkmenistan, and Bhutan, may be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for certain U.S. visas. The measure brings the total number of countries covered to thirteen, most of them in Africa.

U.S. authorities said the policy is designed to reduce visa overstays by creating a financial incentive for compliance. The bond is refundable if visa conditions are met or if a visa is denied.

Critics, including immigration advocates, warn the requirement could make travel unaffordable for students, business travellers, and tourists from lower‑income nations. They also caution that the new policy may disproportionately affect African applicants.

The expansion of the visa bond rule reflects broader U.S. efforts to strengthen immigration controls and border security, including enhanced interviews and more thorough review of applicants’ social media and travel histories.

SOURCE: AP