US Expands List of Countries Required to Pay Up to $15,000 Visa Bonds

The United States has expanded the list of countries whose citizens must post bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for visas, following a new directive by the Trump administration.

Seven additional countries—Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan—have been added to the policy, according to a notice published on the U.S. State Department’s travel.state.gov website. The new requirements took effect on January 1.
With the latest additions, the total number of affected countries has risen to 13, all but two of which are located in Africa. The policy has raised concerns that visa applications may become unaffordable for many prospective travelers from the affected nations.
Under the measure, applicants from the designated countries are required to pay visa bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on individual circumstances. U.S. officials say the bond system is designed to discourage visa overstays and ensure compliance with immigration rules.
The bond requirement is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten entry conditions into the United States. Other measures include mandatory in-person visa interviews, extensive disclosure of social media history, and detailed information about applicants’ and their families’ travel and residence records.
Despite criticism, U.S. authorities have defended the policy, insisting that the bonds are an effective tool for managing immigration compliance. (AP)
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