SOURCE: Visasnews – The U.S. has expanded the list of nationalities that may be required to post a bond to obtain a B1/B2 visa.
Twelve additional countries will be added as of April 2, bringing the total number of countries covered by this pilot program to 50, an initiative Washington is highlighting as a tool to combat visa overstays.
“The State Department is keeping America’s borders secure and preventing visa overstays. Nationals from 50 countries will soon be required to provide a $15,000 bond for business and tourist visas – returned to those who comply with their visa terms and return home on time,” the U.S. Department of State announced today.
An update released by U.S. diplomacy on March 18 confirms the addition of 12 new countries to the list of nationalities subject to a visa bond requirement for certain short-term visas.
Effective April 2, 2026 , the measure will apply to Cambodia , Ethiopia , Georgia , Grenada , Lesotho , Mauritius , Mongolia , Mozambique , Nicaragua , Papua New Guinea , Seychelles , and Tunisia.
With this expansion, the program now covers a total of 50 countries.
A case-by-case bond of up to $15,000
In its official communication, Washington specifies that nationals of these countries, if otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa (business or tourism), may be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
The amount is not fixed at $15,000 and is determined during the consular interview.
The Department of State adds that applicants must submit Form I-352 from the Department of Homeland Security and accept the bond conditions via Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury’s official platform.
Authorities stress an important point: no payment should be made through third-party websites, and any bond paid without prior instruction from a consular officer is non-refundable.
Another key clarification: posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance. It is an additional requirement in certain cases, not an automatic right to obtain a visa.
It is also worth noting that this program does not apply to visa-exempt travelers. These individuals continue to travel to the United States under the ESTA electronic travel authorization system and are not subject to any bond requirement.
Washington frames the measure as a tool against overstays
The Department of State explicitly links the program to B1/B2 visa overstay rates , based on the Department of Homeland Security’s annual Entry/Exit Overstay Report.
U.S. authorities present this expansion as a way to reduce unlawful stays after visa expiration. According to Reuters , a State Department official stated that the program has already contributed to a decline in overstay rates.
Travelers who post a bond will not be free to use any port of entry. The Department of State specifies that visa holders subject to a bond must enter and depart the United States exclusively through commercial airports, including CBP preclearance locations. Land and sea borders, as well as charter flights and general aviation, are excluded.
Failure to comply with this requirement may result in denial of entry or an improperly recorded departure, which could complicate the refund process.
According to the Department of State, the bond is automatically canceled and refunded in several situations: when the traveler departs the United States within the authorized period, when the visa is not used before its expiration, or when the traveler is refused admission at the U.S. border.
Conversely, authorities warn that a late departure, an overstay, or certain actions such as applying for a change of status, including an asylum application, may trigger a review for violation of bond conditions. Cases are then referred to USCIS for determination.
List of the 50 countries subject to a U.S. visa bond
Effective April 2, 2026
- Cambodia
- Ethiopia
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Lesotho
- Mauritius
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Nicaragua
- Papua New Guinea
- Seychelles
- Tunisia
Since January 21, 2026
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Kyrgyzstan
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tajikistan
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Zimbabwe
Since January 1, 2026
- Bhutan
- Botswana
- Central African Republic
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Namibia
- Turkmenistan
Since October 23, 2025
- Mauritania
- São Tomé and Príncipe
- Tanzania
Since October 11, 2025
- Gambia
Since August 20, 2025
- Malawi
- Zambia