United States expands visa-bond requirement to 12 additional countries
Change
The United States Department of State added 12 countries to its visa-bond program, requiring B-1 and B-2 applicants from those states to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, effective April 2, 2026.
Why it matters
Nationals of the newly listed countries will face an upfront cash guarantee as a precondition for visa adjudication, increasing the financial barrier to short-term travel and business visits. Consular officers will set the bond tier during visa interviews, and bond payment does not guarantee visa issuance or admission.
Implications
- • B-1 and B-2 visa applicants from Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia must provide the required bond amount at their visa interview to remain eligible for adjudication.
- • United States consular officers must determine and collect the applicable bond tier ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) during visa interviews for applicants from those countries.
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Source
Topics
International Affairs Policy & Regulation Migration Human Rights