Story perspectives

U.S. Expands Visa Bond Program to 12 New Countries

3/20/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Department of State expands its visa bond program to 12 countries—Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia—for B1 and B2 visas, effective April 2, 2026.
Applicants from these countries must post bonds from $5,000 to $15,000.
Nearly 97% of the 1,000 individuals who posted bonds complied with terms.
The total number of countries under this requirement will rise to 50.

History

Historical Context

In 2026, the U.S. Department of State expanded its visa bond program, requiring applicants from 12 countries to post bonds of $5,000 to $15,000. This follows the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which aimed to reduce visa overstays. With nearly 97% compliance in previous bond postings, this expansion underscores ongoing immigration security concerns and may lead to stricter policies for visa applicants globally.

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Story summary

The U.S. Department of State expands its visa bond program to 12 countries—Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia—for B1 and B2 visas, effective April 2, 2026.
Applicants from these countries must post bonds from $5,000 to $15,000.
Nearly 97% of the 1,000 individuals who posted bonds complied with terms.
The total number of countries under this requirement will rise to 50.

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