The United States has added seven countries to a list whose nationals must post visa bonds when applying for certain U.S. visas, bringing the total number of affected countries to 13.
Under the policy, citizens of the designated countries may be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for a U.S. B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The Trump administration announced the latest additions this week.
The State Department said Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan were added to the list, with the new designations taking effect on January 1, 2026.
“Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is otherwise eligible for a B-1/B-2 visa, must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000,” the State Department said in a note. The bond amount will be determined at the time of the visa interview.
The full list of countries whose nationals are now required to post visa bonds includes:
- Bhutan (January 1, 2026)
- Botswana (January 1, 2026)
- Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
- Guinea (January 1, 2026)
- Guinea-Bissau (January 1, 2026)
- Namibia (January 1, 2026)
- Turkmenistan (January 1, 2026)
- Mauritania (October 23, 2025)
- São Tomé and Príncipe (October 23, 2025)
- Tanzania (October 23, 2025)
- The Gambia (October 11, 2025)
- Malawi (August 20, 2025)
- Zambia (August 20, 2025)
The State Department emphasized that posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance.
Applicants who submit bond payments without direct instruction from a consular officer will not be eligible for a refund, according to a notice on the department’s website.
Bond payments will be refunded if the visa is denied or after a visa holder demonstrates compliance with the terms of their visa.
Additionally, visa holders who post a bond will be required to enter and exit the United States through designated ports of entry that include Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
