The Trump administration has expanded 
its visa bond policy to 38 countries, a measure that significantly increases the financial requirements for many foreign travelers seeking to enter the United States.
The U.S. Department of State added 25 nations to the list on Tuesday, following the inclusion of seven other countries earlier this month. The policy, aimed at discouraging stays beyond the authorized period, requires certain B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants to post refundable cash bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
Key Details of the Expanded Policy
According to the Department of State, consular officers will determine the specific bond amount for each applicant during the visa interview. While the bonds are refundable—either if the visa is denied or after the traveler completes their visit and departs the U.S. on time—the initial cost makes traveling to the United States considerably more expensive.
The new requirements for the 25 most recently added countries will take effect on January 21, 2026. These countries include:
- Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Djibouti, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Uganda, and Zimbabwe.
- Latin America and the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, and Venezuela.
- Asia and the Pacific: Bangladesh, Fiji, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.
These nations are added to a list that already included countries such as Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia.
Operational Restrictions
In addition to the financial requirement, travelers subject to the visa bond must comply with specific entry and exit protocols. Holders of approved visas must enter the United States through one of three designated airports:
- Logan International Airport, Boston (BOS)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD
Failure to enter through these points or to comply with the exit conditions may result in forfeiture of the bond.
Context and Impact
The Department of State identified these countries based on high rates of overstays after visa expiration and reported deficiencies in security and document verification. Data from the International Labour Organization indicate that, for many of the affected nations, the bond amount far exceeds the average annual income, which could make U.S. visas inaccessible for many citizens.
The expansion is part of a broader effort by the administration to tighten enforcement of immigration laws and entry requirements, which also includes mandatory in-person interviews and disclosure of applicants’ social media history.
Countries Subject to Visa Bonds — U.S. Department of State (Complete List and Implementation Dates):
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html
