Source:Visa News
The United States Department of State has announced an expansion of its visa bond programme, adding 12 new countries to the list of nationalities that may be required to post a financial bond when applying for a B1/B2 visitor visa. The measure takes effect on April 2, 2026, bringing the total number of affected countries to 50.
Under the policy, applicants from designated countries may be required—on a case-by-case basis—to pay a bond ranging from US$5,000 to US$15,000. The bond is intended as a safeguard against visa overstays and will be refunded once the traveller complies fully with the terms of their visa, including departing the United States within the authorised period.
The newly added countries are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
According to the State Department, the bond requirement will be determined during the visa interview process. Applicants instructed to pay the bond must complete Form I-352 through the United States Department of Homeland Security and submit payment via the official government platform, Pay.gov. Authorities caution that payments made outside official channels will not be recognised or refunded.
Officials emphasised that the bond does not guarantee visa approval but serves as an additional condition in certain cases. The programme is part of broader efforts by U.S. authorities to reduce visa overstays, drawing on data from annual overstay reports compiled by federal agencies.
Travelers subject to the bond requirement must also comply with specific entry and exit conditions, including using approved commercial airports. Failure to adhere to these requirements could affect eligibility for a refund.
The U.S. government maintains that the initiative has already contributed to a reduction in overstay rates and will continue to be used as a tool to strengthen immigration compliance.