The Trump administration has expanded a controversial US visa policy by adding seven more countries to a list requiring certain travellers to post a large refundable bond before entering the United States. With the latest update, citizens of 13 countries may now be asked to deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 as part of the visa application process.
According to the US State Department, the newly added countries are Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Turkmenistan. The decision took effect on January 1 and was published on the department’s official travel website. Five of the seven new additions are African nations, further increasing the concentration of African countries impacted by the rule.
These countries join Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi and Zambia, which were placed under the bond requirement in August and October last year. US officials say the measure is aimed at tightening immigration controls, discouraging visa overstays, and ensuring compliance with entry conditions.
The State Department has clarified that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval. If a visa application is denied, the bond is refunded. For approved applicants, the amount is returned once authorities confirm the individual complied with visa terms, including leaving the US on time.
The bond policy is part of broader immigration tightening under the Trump administration. Other recent measures include mandatory in-person visa interviews, expanded disclosure of travel and residence history, and enhanced scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity.
Critics argue that the bond requirement places a heavy financial burden on travellers from lower-income countries, particularly students, tourists, and small business visitors. For many applicants, the upfront cost represents a significant barrier to travel, even before visa processing begins.
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