US to make visa bond requirements permanent, affecting mostly African countries
Summary
The U.S. State Department has made permanent a visa bond program that requires citizens from about 50 countries, mostly in Africa, to pay a security bond when applying for certain U.S. visas. The bond amount has increased up to $20,000, and the program aims to reduce visa overstays by encouraging applicants to follow visa rules.Key Facts
- The visa bond program applies mainly to citizens from 50 countries, mostly in Africa.
- Applicants for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas must pay a bond to be interviewed.
- The bond is refunded if the visa is denied or if the visitor obeys visa rules.
- The bond amount was raised from a maximum of $15,000 to $20,000, removing the $5,000 low-end option.
- The program started last August under President Trump to reduce illegal immigration and visa overstays.
- In 2024, about 45,500 people from these countries overstayed visas, compared to fewer than 50 overstays during the pilot program.
- Roughly 20,000 applicants had to post bonds, nearly 10 times the expected 2,000, and almost half chose not to pay.
- The number of business and tourist visas issued to these countries dropped by 83% since the program began.
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