An IMGlobalWealth.com News Report
The United States has expanded a visa bond scheme that can require certain visitor visa applicants to lodge a refundable security deposit of up to $15,000 as a condition of entry.
From 1 January 2026, nationals of seven additional countries may be directed by consular officers to post a bond when applying for B-1/B-2 visas for business or tourism, bringing the total number of affected countries to thirteen.
“The programme applies solely to B-1/B-2 visitor visas and does not affect nationals of countries in the US Visa Waiver Programme”
The policy forms part of a one-year Visa Bond Pilot Program introduced in 2025. US authorities say the measure is designed to improve compliance with visa conditions and reduce overstays, using financial guarantees rather than outright refusals.
The bond does not guarantee visa approval; rather, it may be imposed on applicants who are otherwise eligible but deemed to present a higher risk of non-compliance.
Under the scheme, consular officers determine the bond amount at interview, typically ranging between $5,000 and $15,000.
If a visa is refused, the bond is not collected. If a visa is issued and the traveller complies with its terms and departs the United States on time, the amount is refunded. Failure to comply may result in forfeiture. Payments are made only when instructed, via the US Treasury’s Pay.gov system, using a dedicated immigration bond form.
As of January 2026, the countries subject to the visa bond requirement are Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, Turkmenistan, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, The Gambia, Malawi and Zambia. Most are in Africa, with Bhutan and Turkmenistan representing non-African additions.
The list has already shown signs of fluidity, with some countries added or removed following updated assessments.
The programme applies solely to B-1/B-2 visitor visas and does not affect nationals of countries in the US Visa Waiver Programme, who may continue to travel for short stays without a visa. Nor does it apply automatically to all applicants from listed countries; the decision rests with individual consular officers based on case-by-case evaluations.
Supporters argue that the bond approach offers a more flexible alternative to blanket restrictions, allowing legitimate travel while discouraging abuse.
Critics counter that the sums involved risk making lawful travel prohibitively expensive, particularly for families, students and small business owners from lower-income states.
For now, the pilot marks a further tightening of US entry conditions, signalling a growing willingness to use financial tools to police short-term mobility.
