FULL LIST: US expands $15,000 visa bond policy to 12 more countries
The United States has expanded its visa bond programme to cover 50 countries, requiring applicants from affected nations to pay up to $15,000 for certain visas. According to the US
The United States has expanded its visa bond programme to cover 50 countries, requiring applicants from affected nations to pay up to $15,000 for certain visas.
According to the US State Department, the latest update adds 12 more countries, including Cambodia, Ethiopia and Georgia—to the scheme, which takes effect on April 2.
The policy, introduced under Donald Trump, applies to short-term business and tourism visas and aims to reduce visa overstays.
Under the programme, applicants may be required to pay between $5,000 and $15,000 as a refundable bond. The money is returned if visa conditions are met, but forfeited if the individual overstays.
Officials say the initiative has recorded high compliance, with about 97 percent of participants returning to their home countries on time.
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Newly Added Countries (12)
Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Tunisia.
Previously Listed Countries (38)
Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
The expanded list underscores Washington’s tightening immigration measures, particularly targeting countries with high rates of visa overstays.
