Full list of countries that must pay up to $15,000 to obtain a US visa: Is yours on the list?
As of January 2026, the U.S. State Department has expanded its Visa Bond Pilot Program to include a total of 38 countries.
The U.S. government has expanded a Visa Bond Pilot Program that requires certain travelers to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 as a guarantee they will leave the country on time.
As of January 2026, this program has been significantly expanded to cover citizens from 38 countries.
Why is this being introduced?
The primary goal of the program is to deter visa overstays. The U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security use these bonds to:
- Ensure Compliance: The financial “risk” encourages visitors to depart before their authorized stay expires.
- Cover Costs: If a traveler overstays or violates their status, the bond is forfeited to the government, potentially helping to offset costs associated with immigration enforcement or deportation.
- The Amount: Consular officers determine the amount during the visa interview. It is typically tiered at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 based on the applicant’s individual risk profile.
- Refundability: The money is fully refunded if the visitor leaves the U.S. on time, if the visa is denied, or if the traveler never uses the visa.
Countries affected by Visa Bond Pilot Program
Nations affected
Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Asia & Middle East: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan
Latin America & Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, Venezuela
Oceania: Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
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