New visa rules in the United States are now in force, requiring travelers from dozens of countries to post bonds of up to $15,000 before they can obtain business or tourist visas.
The policy expansion comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues tightening legal immigration rules, arguing that existing visa programmes allow too many visitors to overstay their permitted time.
The visa bond system, which was initially introduced as a pilot programme, has now been significantly expanded to cover a broader group of travelers.
As of this week, the U.S. has widened its visa bond programme for B-1 and B-2 visas, which are issued for short-term business travel and tourism. Under the updated rules, certain applicants may be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 before a visa is granted.
Officials from the U.S. Department of State say the bonds are designed to discourage visa overstays. Travelers who leave the country before their visa expires will have the bond canceled and their money returned, while those who overstay or violate visa terms risk forfeiting the funds.
The requirement is not automatic. A consular officer determines whether a bond is necessary during the visa interview, meaning many applicants may not be asked to pay one.
With the latest expansion, the total number of countries affected by the B-1/B-2 visa bond requirement has risen to 50.
Twelve countries have been newly added under the rule now in effect: Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia. These join 38 others added in earlier phases of the programme in 2025 and early 2026, with selections based on visa overstay rates and other immigration risk indicators.
The expansion forms part of a broader tightening of non-immigrant visa screening. Over the past year, the administration has increased embassy interview requirements, raised visa fees, and expanded the use of social media vetting.
While much attention has focused on work visas such as the H-1B, the changes to B-1 and B-2 visas highlight a wider enforcement approach that also affects tourists and business travelers.
The State Department has indicated that the visa bond programme could expand further, with countries added or removed depending on immigration risk factors such as overstay rates. Immigration lawyers and advocacy groups are closely monitoring developments to see whether the policy faces legal challenges or is further broadened as the administration continues reshaping U.S. visa regulations.