The United States has expanded its controversial Visa bond policy by adding 25 more countries to the list of nations whose citizens may need to pay up to $15,000 when applying for a U.S. visitor Visa. This move increases the total number of affected countries to 38, according to a notice from the U.S. State Department.
Under the updated rules, citizens from the newly added countries could be required to deposit a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 at the time of their Visa interview. The exact bond amount will be decided by consular officers during that interview.
The expanded list includes countries from Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Among the new additions are Bangladesh, Nepal, Venezuela, Nigeria, Algeria, and Cuba. These countries join others already on the bond list, such as Botswana, Guinea, and Turkmenistan.
U.S. officials say the Visa bond requirement aims to discourage visitors from overstaying their authorised time in the United States. They argue that asking applicants to post a financial bond increases the chance that travellers will comply with the terms of their visas. The bond is refundable if a Visa is denied or if the holder follows all conditions and leaves the U.S. on time.
However, critics say the high cost of bonds could place a heavy burden on ordinary travellers. Many applicants from developing countries may find the financial requirement difficult to meet. Some experts warn that the policy could make obtaining a U.S. Visa unaffordable for many families, students, and small business owners.
This expansion comes as part of a broader tightening of U.S. Visa policies. In recent months, the government has also required more applicants to attend in-person interviews. Applicants must often provide extended social media histories and detailed travel and family records as part of the process. Officials maintain these measures help strengthen border security and ensure compliance with Visa conditions.
The new Visa bond rules are set to take effect on January 21, 2026. Citizens of the listed countries who are otherwise eligible for B1/B2 tourism or business visas should prepare for the added financial requirement when they schedule their interviews.
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Travel and immigration groups continue to monitor the impact of these changes, as many worry about reduced access to legal travel channels for millions of potential visitors. The U.S. government says the policy will remain under review.
