Washington. The United States will make permanent a visa bond programme that could require applicants from 50 countries, including 30 African nations, to pay bonds of up to $20,000 before being granted certain visas, according to a federal notice published on Friday.
The programme applies to B1 and B2 visas, which cover business and tourism travel. Under the new rules, US consular officers may require eligible applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition for visa approval.
The State Department said the move follows a 2025 pilot programme that tested the feasibility of using visa bonds to encourage compliance among non-immigrant visitors.
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