The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant expansion of its visa bond program, adding a dozen new nations to the list of countries whose citizens will be required to pay a substantial fee when applying for certain visitor visas.
The pilot program, which was initially launched in August 2025 with just Malawi and Zambia, will now require applicants from the expanded list to post a bond of up to $15,000 when applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas. The new additions will bring the total number of participating nations to 50 starting in April.
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According to the State Department, the measure is designed as a cost-saving mechanism for U.S. taxpayers. Officials point to the high expense of deporting individuals who remain in the country beyond the terms of their visa, which currently averages more than $18,000 per person.
An $800 Million Savings Initiative
The program is projected to save up to $800 million annually by deterring and financially covering the expenses related to visa overstays. Under the terms outlined, the bond serves as a financial guarantee that the visitor will comply with the terms of their admission.
The funds collected from applicants are not intended as a fee. Following a proposal initially put forth by President Donald Trump, the bond money would be refunded to the visitor upon their timely departure from the United States. However, should an individual remain in the country illegally beyond their authorized period of stay, the full amount of the bond would be forfeited.
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Below is the complete list of the 50 countries included in the visa bond program, along with their respective implementation dates.
Algeria (January 21, 2026)
Angola (January 21, 2026)
Antigua and Barbuda (January 21, 2026)
Bangladesh (January 21, 2026)
Benin (January 21, 2026)
Bhutan (January 1, 2026)
Botswana (January 1, 2026)
Burundi (January 21, 2026)
Cabo Verde (January 21, 2026)
Cambodia (April 2, 2026)
Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
Côte d’Ivoire (January 21, 2026)
Cuba (January 21, 2026)
Djibouti (January 21, 2026)
Dominica (January 21, 2026)
Ethiopia (April 2, 2026)
Fiji (January 21, 2026)
Gabon (January 21, 2026)
Gambia (October 11, 2025)
Georgia (April 2, 2026)
Grenada (April 2, 2026)
Guinea (January 1, 2026)
Guinea-Bissau (January 1, 2026)
Kyrgyz Republic (January 21, 2026)
Lesotho (April 2, 2026)
Malawi (August 20, 2025)
Mauritania (October 23, 2025)
Mauritius (April 2, 2026)
Mongolia (April 2, 2026)
Mozambique (April 2, 2026)
Namibia (January 1, 2026)
Nepal (January 21, 2026)
Nicaragua (April 2, 2026)
Nigeria (January 21, 2026)
Papua New Guinea (April 2, 2026)
São Tomé and Príncipe (October 23, 2025)
Senegal (January 21, 2026)
Seychelles (April 2, 2026)
Tajikistan (January 21, 2026)
Tanzania (October 23, 2025)
Togo (January 21, 2026)
Tonga (January 21, 2026)
Tunisia (April 2, 2026)
Turkmenistan (January 1, 2026)
Tuvalu (January 21, 2026)
Uganda (January 21, 2026)
Vanuatu (January 21, 2026)
Venezuela (January 21, 2026)
Zambia (August 20, 2025)
Zimbabwe (January 21, 2026)
