US to Require $15,000 Bond to Visa Recipients From 12 More Countries Starting April 2

The U.S. State Department has announced that it will require citizens of 12 more countries to get a US visa bond. This is a big step toward making the borders safer. Effective April 2, 2026, travelers from 12 nations applying for B1 (business) or B2 (tourism) visas may be required to post a refundable bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. This expansion brings the total number of countries under the pilot program to 50. 

According to official data, the program has shown early success, with a 97% compliance rate among the nearly 1,000 travelers who have participated so far. Washington wants to make sure that visitors from high-risk areas go home before their allowed stay ends by requiring a financial guarantee.

Which 12 Countries are Newly Added to the U.S. Visa Bond List?

The State Department looks at historical data on overstay rates, which is the percentage of visitors who stay in the U.S. after their visas expire, to choose which nationalities to target. The newest countries to join the new visa bond program come from all over Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean.

List of New Countries Subject to Visa Bonds (Effective April 2, 2026)

• Africa: Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tunisia.

• Asia and Pacific: Cambodia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea.

• Americas and Caribbean: Georgia, Grenada, Nicaragua.

Consular officers have the discretion to set the bond amount at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 during the interview. While the US requirement of a $15,000 bond for visa recipients from 12 more countries highlights the maximum cap, many applicants may be asked for a lower amount depending on their individual risk profile and ties to their home country.

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How the $15,000 Refundable Visa Bond Works

The process is strictly regulated to prevent fraud. Applicants are only required to post the bond if specifically directed by a consular officer during their interview. Payments must be made through the official U.S. Treasury portal, Pay.gov, after filing the Department of Homeland Security Form I-352.

"The visa bond program has already proven effective at drastically reducing the number of visa recipients who overstay," stated a Department spokesperson. 

🚨 U.S. State Department to require $15,000 bond to visa recipients from 12 more countrieshttps://t.co/FpWXwAYax6

— Dylan Johnson (@ASDylanJohnson) March 18, 2026

It is important to note that posting a bond does not guarantee a visa will be issued; it is simply an additional condition for those who are otherwise eligible but deemed a higher flight risk.

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As the U.S. works to improve its immigration policies, the expansion of the visa bond pilot program shows that financial leverage is becoming a more important way to enforce the law.

The requirement is a big financial barrier for travelers from the 12 affected countries, but it also lets people with high-risk profiles who might not be able to enter otherwise do so. 

Travelers should only follow official instructions from the State Department to make sure that their money can still be refunded when they return on time.