U.S. Mandates More Foreign Travelers Must Pay $15,000 Visa Bond Deposits

Foreign travelers from seven additional countries are now required to pay up to $15,000 for a reimbursable bond when applying for a U.S. visitor visa, as the Trump administration continues to tighten entry requirements to the country.

As of Jan. 1, 2026, Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Turkmenistan are required to pay the assurances as part of a State Department pilot program launched in August 2025. Thirteen countries are now affected by the program, most of them located in Africa.

The bond deposits — which the department has said are aimed at deterring visitors from staying in the United States longer than they are allowed for business or tourism — range between $5,000 and $15,000, and do not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The payment will be refunded if visitors depart the U.S. within the time specified on their visas, according to the policy.

Please select this link to read the complete article from The Washington Post.