January 8, 2026
DHAKA – “Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000,” the State Department website said, adding the amount was determined at the time of the visa interview.
Applicants must agree to the terms of the bond through the US Treasury Department’s online payment platform, Pay.gov, the State Department said.
The list mostly included countries from Africa, Latin America and South Asia. It had a total of 38 countries as of Tuesday. The policy for the newly added nations will go into effect on January 21, the State Department website said.
Here is a list from State Dept website:
A State Department pilot programme was launched in August with an initial list of nations.
The US government has said the bonds seek to deter visitors from overstaying their visas intended for tourism or business purposes.
Since taking office last January, Trump, a Republican, has pursued a hard-line immigration policy, involving an aggressive deportation drive, revocations of visas and green cards and screening of social media posts and past speeches of immigrants.
Human rights groups have widely condemned Trump’s immigration and travel-related policies, saying they curb due process guarantees and free speech. Trump and his allies say the policies seek to improve domestic security.
Here’s what the US says about the visa bond:
- Preventing overstays: The primary purpose is to create a strong financial incentive for travellers to leave the US before their visa expires.
- High-risk designation: As of early 2026, the US has expanded this requirement to nearly 38 countries (including many in Africa, such as Nigeria and Angola, as well as nations like Bangladesh and Nepal) that have historically high rates of visa overstays.
- Compliance insurance: It ensures that if a visitor violates their visa terms, the government has already collected a penalty.
Key Facts-
- Refunds: The money is returned if the traveller departs on time or if the visa is denied.
- Restrictions: Travellers on this programme are often limited to a single entry, a maximum stay of 30 days, and must enter through specific designated airports (like JFK, Dulles, or Boston Logan).
- Affordability: Because the bond is per person, it has become a significant barrier for families or travellers from lower-income backgrounds.