The United States has further tightened its visa policy by expanding a controversial bond requirement to seven additional countries, increasing the total number of affected nations to 13.
Under the updated rules, applicants from these countries must deposit a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for a US visa. The measure came into effect on January 1.
According to the Associated Press, most of the newly added countries are in Africa. The latest additions include Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan.
Last year, the United States Department of State had already imposed the bond requirement on Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, The Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia.
US officials say the policy aims to reduce visa overstays. Authorities believe the financial guarantee will encourage compliance with visa terms and timely departures once the authorised stay ends.
Officials have clarified that paying the bond does not ensure visa approval. If an application is rejected, or if the visa holder complies with all rules and leaves on time, the deposit will be refunded.
The expanded requirement continues a stricter immigration policy introduced during the Trump administration. That period also brought tougher screening measures, including mandatory interviews, social media reviews, and detailed travel and residency histories.
Immigration experts warn that the bond policy will increase the cost and complexity of obtaining a U.S. visa. They note it could discourage travel, limit academic and business exchanges, and strain economic ties with affected countries.
Despite the criticism, US authorities maintain that the measure supports immigration enforcement while allowing compliant travellers to recover their deposits in full.
