US to make $20,000 visa bond permanent for 50 countries

The US plans to make a visa bond requirement permanent for citizens of 50 countries, most in Africa, applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas.

The maximum bond will increase from $15,000 to $20,000, with bonds of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 required depending on the case.

Applicants from designated countries must pay the bond before their visa interview; the bond is refundable if the visa is denied or if the traveler complies with visa terms.

The policy stems from a pilot program that reduced visa overstays from those countries to fewer than 50 in the first 10 months, compared to nearly 45,500 overstays in 2024.

The State Department may expand the list of affected countries in the future.