The U.S. State Department is significantly expanding its controversial visa bond program, adding 12 new countries to the list of nations whose citizens must post a hefty financial bond to visit the United States. Effective April 2, 2026, travelers from a total of 50 countries will be required to post a $15,000 bond when applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) nonimmigrant visas.
The newly added countries include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia. They join 38 other nations, primarily in Africa, that were already subject to the requirement. State Department officials claim the expanded program is a necessary measure to deter foreign nationals from overstaying their visas, citing that the policy has successfully reduced overstay rates among the previously targeted nations.
The $15,000 bond is intended to be refundable, provided the traveler complies with all the terms of their visa and departs the United States on time, or if they ultimately choose not to travel. However, immigration advocates have heavily criticized the policy, arguing that it creates an insurmountable financial barrier for legitimate tourists, business people, and family members from developing nations, effectively acting as a wealth test for entry into the U.S.