US expands visa bond policy to more African countries, raising cost of entry to up to $15,000

The United States has expanded a contentious immigration policy that requires visa applicants from selected countries to post a financial bond of up to $15,000, extending it to seven additional nations, five of them in Africa.

• The United States has expanded its visa bond requirement to seven more countries, five of them in Africa.
• Applicants from affected nations may now be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 before visa consideration.
• US officials say the policy is meant to reduce visa overstays and improve compliance with immigration rules.
• Critics argue the measure disproportionately affects African travellers and limits access to education, business, and tourism opportunities.

The move deepens concerns over affordability and access for African travellers at a time when global mobility remains uneven.

According to the US State Department, the newly affected countries are Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan.

The change took effect on January 1, following a notice published on the official travel.state.gov website, without a formal public announcement.

With these additions, 13 countries are now subject to the visa bond requirement, 11 of which are in Africa.

For applicants from these countries, the policy introduces a significant upfront financial obligation before a visa application can be fully considered.

Under the rule, applicants may be asked to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, equivalent to roughly $5,000 to $15,000 at current US dollar values.

US authorities say the measure is designed to discourage visa overstays and improve compliance with immigration laws. The State Department has argued that the bond is refundable if a visa is refused or if the traveller adheres strictly to the terms of their visa.

Paying visa bond guarantee approval, and no refund – US

However, paying the bond does not guarantee approval, and critics say the requirement alone makes US travel beyond reach for many prospective visitors.

In several of the affected African countries, the maximum bond amount exceeds average annual incomes, effectively shutting out students, entrepreneurs, tourists, and families with legitimate travel plans.

The latest additions join African countries such as Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia, which were added to the list in August and October last year.

The growing concentration of African nations on the list has intensified criticism that the policy disproportionately impacts the continent.

Beyond the bond itself, the Trump administration has introduced other measures that raise the administrative burden on applicants.

These include mandatory in-person visa interviews, extended disclosure of social media history, and detailed reporting of applicants’ and their families’ travel and residence records. Together, these steps have increased both the cost and complexity of applying for a US visa.

US officials have defended the approach as a necessary security tool. The State Department has said the policy is aimed at ensuring compliance and reducing the risk of overstays, adding that exemptions remain for specific categories.

These include lawful permanent residents, some existing visa holders, diplomats, and athletes travelling for major international sporting events. Officials also note that waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis when travel is deemed in the national interest.

Despite these assurances, immigration advocates warn that the expanding bond list reflects a broader shift towards restrictive immigration practices that fall hardest on developing countries, particularly in Africa.

As the policy continues to grow, analysts say it could have lasting implications for educational exchange, business links, tourism flows, and diplomatic relations between the United States and African nations.