US Imposes $5,000–$15,000 Bond Requirement for Visa Applicants from Seven More Countries
Washington: The US government has added seven more countries to its list requiring visa applicants to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, making visa acquisition more difficult and costly for citizens of these nations. Most of the newly added countries are in Africa.
According to the Associated Press, this brings the total number of countries on the list to thirteen. Previously, African nations such as Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia were already included. The newly added countries are Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan. This requirement took effect on January 1.
US officials explained that the bond is intended to ensure applicants from these countries do not overstay their visas. However, posting the bond does not guarantee visa approval. If a visa is denied or the holder complies with all visa conditions, the bond is refunded.
This measure is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten visa issuance, including mandatory personal interviews, disclosure of social media history, and detailed travel and residence information. Experts warn that the new bond requirement could significantly increase costs and challenges for travelers from the affected countries, potentially impacting international travel and business relations.
