US Expands Visa Bond Requirement: 7 New Nations Face Up To $15,000 Fee

• The US has added seven countries, including five in Africa, to a list requiring citizens to post bonds of up to $15,000 for visa applications.
• Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan were quietly added, effective January 1.
• This brings the total to 13 countries, mostly African, making US visas potentially unaffordable for many.
• The Trump administration defends the bonds, ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, as a measure to prevent visa overstays.
• Bond payment does not guarantee a visa but is refunded if denied or if visa terms are met.

Why It Matters: US expands visa bond requirement to 13 countries, making entry harder for many.