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The U.S. Department of State has expanded its visa bond programme, adding 12 new countries to the list of nations whose citizens must post a $15,000 bond before receiving B1 or B2 visas for business or tourism.
The expansion, which takes effect April 2, 2026, includes several African nations: Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, and Seychelles.
Under the programme, the bond is refundable if travellers return home on time and comply with visa rules.
The State Department said the measure aims to reduce illegal visa overstays, noting that nearly 1,000 travellers have participated so far, with 97% returning home on time.
“The visa bond program has already proven effective at drastically reducing the number of visa recipients who overstay their visas and illegally remain in the United States,” the Department said.
Currently, 38 nations are already part of the program, including Nigeria, Angola, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe.
With the addition of the new countries, the program now applies to 50 countries in total.
The State Department noted that the program also saves American taxpayers money.
“It costs the U.S. taxpayer over $18,000 on average to remove an alien illegally present in the United States,” the statement said.
“The Department of State is saving U.S. taxpayers up to $800 million per year that would otherwise be required to remove these aliens who overstay.”
The government said, “the Department may continue to place Visa Bonds on countries based on a range of immigration risk factors.”
The newly added African countries join other regions such as Asia, the Caribbean, and the Pacific, all included in the program’s broader strategy to prevent visa misuse and strengthen compliance.
