United States has announced a major expansion of its Visa bond program, adding more countries to stricter entry rules. The new policy will come into effect on April 2 and will impact travelers applying for business and tourist visas.
Under the updated system, applicants from 50 countries will now be required to pay a bond of up to $15,000. This Visa bond applies mainly to B1 and B2 categories, which are used for business and tourism purposes. Officials say the move is aimed at reducing the number of people who overstay their Visa in the United States.
According to a State Department official, 12 new countries have been added to the existing list of 38 nations. These newly included countries are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
The Visa bond program requires applicants to deposit the amount before traveling. The bond will be returned if the individual follows all Visa rules. This includes leaving the country before the permitted stay ends. The bond will also be refunded if the person decides not to travel.
US officials say the Visa policy has already helped reduce overstay cases. Authorities believe the financial requirement encourages compliance with immigration laws. The program is part of broader immigration measures introduced by President Donald Trump since taking office.
The administration has adopted a strict approach to immigration. This includes increased deportations, Visa cancellations, and detailed background checks. In some cases, authorities have also reviewed social media activity of applicants as part of screening.
However, the policy has faced criticism from human rights groups. Critics argue that such measures may limit fair access and create financial barriers. They say the high Visa bond amount could make travel difficult for many people.
In addition to the bond program, the US had earlier imposed travel restrictions on several countries. These steps were justified by officials on national security grounds.
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Despite criticism, the US government continues to defend the Visa bond system. Officials say it is necessary to ensure compliance and strengthen border control. As the new rules take effect, many travelers will now face stricter conditions when applying for a Visa.
