US State Department Expands Visa Bond Requirements to 38 Countries for Visitor Visas
The U.S. Department of State has expanded its visa bond program, adding 25 countries to the list of nations whose citizens must post refundable bonds when applying for visitor visas. According to the State Department, the expansion brings the total number of countries subject to visa bond requirements to 38, with most new additions taking effect on January 21, 2026.
According to the Department's announcement published on travel.state.gov, nationals from designated countries who are otherwise eligible for B-1 business or B-2 tourism visas must post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The specific bond amount is determined by consular officers during the visa interview process. ABC News reports that this marks a nearly threefold increase from the previous list of 13 countries.
The bond requirement applies to any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of the designated countries, regardless of where they submit their visa application. According to the State Department, visa bond requirements are based on B-1 and B-2 overstay statistics published in the Department of Homeland Security's Entry/Exit Overstay Report. The program is authorized under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Applicants must submit Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and complete payment through the Department of the Treasury's Pay.gov platform. The Department explicitly warns that applicants should only submit Form I-352 and post bonds after being directed to do so by a consular officer. Payment of the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be issued, and fees paid without a consular officer's direction will not be refunded.
Visa bond holders face additional travel restrictions. According to the State Department, all individuals who have posted a visa bond must enter and exit the United States through three designated airports: Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, or Washington Dulles International Airport. Failure to use these designated ports may result in denied entry or improperly recorded departure records.
Bonds are automatically canceled and refunded when the Department of Homeland Security records the visa holder's departure on or before their authorized stay period, when the visa holder does not travel to the United States before visa expiration, or when the visa holder is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry. The Department of Homeland Security will refer potential bond breaches to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, including situations where visa holders overstay their authorized period or apply to adjust out of nonimmigrant status.
Complete List of Countries Subject to Visa Bond Requirements
According to the State Department, the following 38 countries are subject to visa bond requirements, with their respective implementation dates:
Countries with Implementation Date of January 21, 2026:
- Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cabo Verde (Cape Verde), Cote D'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
Countries with Implementation Date of January 1, 2026:
- Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Turkmenistan
Countries with Implementation Date of October 23, 2025:
- Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania
Countries with Implementation Date of October 11, 2025:
- The Gambia
Countries with Implementation Date of August 20, 2025:
- Malawi, Zambia
According to ABC News reporting, U.S. officials have defended the bond program, maintaining that it is effective in ensuring citizens from targeted countries do not overstay their visas. The expansion is part of broader efforts to tighten entry requirements.
What's Next / Context
Visa bonds represent a financial security mechanism used by governments to ensure compliance with visa terms. The concept of requiring financial guarantees from visa applicants has been part of U.S. immigration policy for decades, though this specific pilot program targeting certain country nationals is relatively recent.
The expansion reflects ongoing efforts to address visa overstays, which according to DHS data represent a significant portion of individuals remaining in the United States without authorization. The bond program aims to create a financial incentive for compliance while providing a mechanism to recover costs if terms are violated.
The bond amounts, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, may pose significant financial challenges for applicants from many affected countries, where average incomes are substantially lower than in the United States. This has raised concerns among immigration advocates about whether the requirement creates an undue barrier to legitimate travel for business and tourism purposes.
The requirement to enter and exit through specific airports represents an additional restriction on travel flexibility, potentially complicating travel plans for visa bond holders. This requirement is designed to ensure proper tracking and recording of entry and exit for bond compliance purposes.
As the expanded bond requirements take effect, affected visa applicants should prepare for the additional financial and procedural requirements. Applicants are advised to consult official State Department resources and ensure they understand all bond terms and conditions before posting bonds. The program's effectiveness in reducing overstays and its long-term implications will likely be monitored as more data becomes available.
