U.S. expands visa bond requirement to 50 countries, effective April 2, 2026

The State Department announced that the visa‑bond program, first introduced in August 2025, now covers 50 countries. The latest expansion adds 12 new nations, bringing the total number of countries subject to the bond requirement to 50.

Travelers from the affected countries must post a financial bond – up to $15,000 – when applying for a U.S. business (B‑1) or tourist (B‑2) visa. The bond amount is set at the consular officer’s discretion and is intended to address high visa‑overstay rates.

The bond must be paid in full before the visa is issued, and holders are limited to entering the United States via commercial airports. The program does not apply to other visa categories such as student, work or immigrant visas.