U.S. Visa Bond Rule for 25 More Countries Takes Effect on January 21

Starting January 21, 2026, the United States will enforce a visa bond requirement for citizens of 25 additional countries as part of its Visa Bond Pilot Program. Under this rule, travellers from these nations seeking certain U.S. visas must deposit a refundable security bond before they can enter the country.

The pilot scheme is designed to encourage compliance with visa conditions and reduce the number of people overstaying their visas, especially on visitor (B-1/B-2) or business visas.

How the Bond Works

Under the expanded programme, eligible visa applicants from the affected countries may be required to pay a refundable bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The exact amount is usually determined by a U.S. consular officer during the visa interview.

The bond is refunded if the traveller follows visa rules, for example, if they leave the U.S. on or before the authorised stay ends or if their visa is denied.

Importantly, paying the bond does not guarantee that the visa will be issued.

Which Countries Are Affected

With the latest update, the pilot programme’s list of countries has expanded to 38 nations. The 25 that will join the visa bond requirement effective January 21, 2026 include:

1. Algeria
2. Angola
3. Antigua and Barbuda
4. Bangladesh
5. Benin
6. Burundi
7. Cabo Verde
8. Côte d’Ivoire
9. Cuba
10. Djibouti
11. Dominica
12. Fiji
13. Gabon
14. Kyrgyzstan
15. Nepal
16. Nigeria
17. Senegal
18. Tajikistan
19. Togo
20. Tonga
21. Tuvalu
22. Uganda
23. Vanuatu
24. Venezuela
25. Zimbabwe
    
     

These are in addition to earlier additions, bringing the total number of countries under the policy to 38.

Why the U.S. Is Doing This

This visa bond rule is part of broader efforts by the U.S. government to enforce stricter oversight of temporary visitors and discourage visa overstays. Countries added to the list are often those with higher overstay rates or where immigration compliance concerns have been identified.

Read More: US$100,000 H-1B Visa Fee: Will You Have to Pay If You Were Laid Off and Are Living Outside the US? 

Conclusion

From January 21, 2026, citizens of 25 additional nations must be prepared to post a refundable visa bond as a condition of entering the United States under certain visa categories. Travellers from these countries should understand the bond requirement and ensure they meet all visa conditions, as compliance affects whether the bond will be refunded.

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