U.S. Expands Visa Bond Program, Requiring Up to $15,000 for Travelers From Additional Countries

Policy aims to reduce visa overstays as administration broadens immigration enforcement measures.

By yourNEWS Media Newsroom

The U.S. State Department announced March 18 that it is expanding its visa bond program to include travelers from 12 additional countries, requiring some applicants to post up to $15,000 to obtain business or tourist visas.

Under the policy, individuals applying for B1 or B2 visas from the newly added countries—including Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia—may be required to pay a refundable bond as a condition of entry.

The visa bond program, first introduced as a pilot initiative, already applies to dozens of countries and allows consular officers to set bond amounts ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on individual risk assessments .

U.S. officials say the program is designed to deter visa overstays. Applicants who comply with visa terms and depart the United States on time receive their bond money back, while those who violate conditions risk forfeiting the funds.

According to administration statements, early results from the program show high compliance rates among participants. Officials also argue the policy reduces enforcement costs associated with removing individuals who remain in the country unlawfully, which can exceed $18,000 per case.

The expansion brings the total number of countries affected by the program to dozens, many of them in Africa, Asia, and parts of Latin America. The broader initiative reflects an ongoing effort to tighten immigration controls and address overstay rates among temporary visa holders .

In parallel with the visa bond expansion, federal agencies have introduced additional immigration-related measures, including incentives for certain non-criminal migrants to voluntarily depart the United States and recent changes to fees for renouncing U.S. citizenship.

Officials say the updated bond requirement will take effect April 2, with the program continuing to operate as part of a broader review of visa compliance and enforcement strategies.