US expands visa bond rule, citizens of 38 countries may now have to pay hefty security deposits

January 7, 2026

United States: The Trump administration has significantly expanded the mandatory security deposit (visa bond) policy for certain foreign travelers entering the United States. The number of affected countries has nearly tripled. According to the Associated Press news agency, the US State Department has added 25 more countries to the program just days after initially adding seven.

With the new rules in effect, passport holders from 38 countries—primarily African countries, as well as some from Asia and Latin America—may now be required to pay a security deposit of up to $15,000 when applying for a US visa. According to the State Department’s official travel website, this arrangement will come into effect on January 21st.

Critics allege: Visas will be out of reach for ordinary people

Critics say this policy will put the visa process beyond the financial reach of many applicants. This move is part of the Trump administration’s strict immigration policy, which has already implemented several strict measures, such as:

* Mandatory face-to-face visa interviews
* Disclosure of social media activity for several years
* Sharing travel history, residence details, and family information

However, US officials argue that the bond, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, is intended to prevent visitors from overstaying their visas. They say it is not a fee but a guarantee of compliance.

Refunds available, but no guarantee of visa approval

Posting a bond does not guarantee visa approval. However, if the visa is rejected or the applicant proves that they have complied with all visa requirements, the deposit will be refunded.

The newly added countries include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

These countries join Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia already on the list.