US makes $20,000 visa bond permanent for travelers from 50 countries

The U.S. Department of State has finalized a rule that makes a visa‑bond program permanent. Starting 3 August 2026, consular officers may require applicants for B‑1 business or B‑2 tourist visas from 50 designated countries to post a refundable cash bond of $10,000, $15,000 or up to $20,000. The pilot, launched in August 2025, allowed bonds of $5,000‑$15,000; the permanent rule eliminates the $5,000 floor and raises the maximum to $20,000. Thirty of the covered nations are in Africa, including Nigeria, Benin, Ethiopia, Uganda and others, while the remaining twenty span Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific. The bond is forfeited if a visitor overstays or violates visa conditions and is returned when the stay ends as authorized. U.S. officials say the measure is intended to curb visa overstays; immigrant‑rights groups argue it creates a substantial financial barrier for legitimate travelers.

The rule was published in the Federal Register and will be enforced at U.S. embassies worldwide. The policy reflects the Trump administration’s broader immigration‑control agenda and is expected to reduce the number of B‑1/B‑2 visas issued to citizens of the listed countries.