As of 2 April 2026, the U.S. is expanding its visa bond program to a total of 50 countries. Through the decision, President Donald Trump’s administration is requiring foreign nationals to post up to $15,000 bonds while applying for entry to the U.S. under a B1 or B2 visa.
Since August 2025, the Trump administration has been gradually expanding the number of countries included in its visa bond program. Although many see the bond requirement as discriminatory, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security insist on the fact that the initiative is both necessary and successful.
“The visa bond program has already proven effective at drastically reducing the number of visa recipients who overstay their visas and illegally remain in the United States. Nearly 1,000 foreigners have been issued visas under the program, and 97% of bonded travellers have returned home from the United States on time. By contrast, in Biden’s last year in office, more than 44,000 visitors from the 50 current Visa Bonds countries overstayed,” the U.S. State Department claims.
🇺🇸 @StateDept to ask for bonds of up to $15,000 for visa applications from a dozen more countries
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 19, 2026
‘Citizens from 12 additional nations must post bonds up to $15,000 starting April 2 as the Trump administration targets visa overstays’ pic.twitter.com/z4p87QGBYJ
“The expanded visa bond program saves the American taxpayer hundreds of millions of dollars every year. It costs the U.S. taxpayer over $18,000 on average to remove an alien illegally present in the United States. The Department of State is saving U.S. taxpayers up to $800 million per year that would otherwise be required to remove these aliens who overstay,” the Trump administration alleges.
12 new countries
The Trump administration seems to be reiterating that claim by adding yet another list of countries to the program. The new countries included in the visa bond initiative are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
Previously, 38 nations that are already included in the visa bond program, bringing the total number of nations involved to 50. Previously included countries are Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The Department also states that extra countries may be added to the list in the future, “based on a range of immigration risk factors”.
It costs the American taxpayer over $18,000 on average to remove an illegal alien from the United States.
— Department of State (@StateDept) March 18, 2026
Our expanded visa bond program will save U.S. taxpayers up to $800 MILLION per year while drastically reducing the number of illegal visa overstays. pic.twitter.com/ck8EPFaZd1
According to the program, starting from 2 April 2026, citizens from one of the countries who wish to apply for a B1 or B2 visa will need to submit specific forms once a consular officer has directed them to do so. Once filled out, applicants will receive a direct link to pay $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 (the amount is determined during the visa interview) through Pay.gov. The Department of Homeland Security insists that any bonds posted without directions from a consular officer or through a third-party website will not be accepted nor returned.
However, despite the high amount, the bond does not guarantee a visa. If the applicant does not travel or when they return home in compliance with the terms of the visa, the bond is returned.
