On March 18, the US government announced a significant tightening of its migration policy regarding short-stay visas. Effective April 2, 2026, State Department expands its compulsory bonding program (the Visa Bond Program) to 12 new countries. A total of 50 nationalities are now involved. This measure has been in force since August 2025. and was already being tested on several nationalities.
The aim of this measure is clear: to combat length-of-stay overruns (the famous overstays) that cost American taxpayers millions of dollars every year.
What is the Visa Deposit Program?
The principle of Visa Bond Program is to make the issuance of a B1 (Business) or B2 (Tourism/Medical Visit) visa conditional upon the traveler's payment of a financial guarantee. If you are a national of one of the new countries targeted by the State Department, the consular officer will require you to post a deposit of 15,000 $ US (approx. €13,800) before we approve and issue your visa.
How does it work? You are interviewed at the American embassy. If your profile is validated, you must deposit the sum of 15,000 $. You stay in the U.S. strictly within the authorized dates. When you return to your home country, and have proved that you left the U.S. on time, the deposit is returned to you.
The authorities' findings: According to the State Department, the program is highly effective. In the first phases of the project, 97 % of bonded travelers returned home on time.
Are you concerned? Countries covered by the extension
The policy specifically targets nationalities with historically high rates of illegal stay on US soil after the expiry of their tourist or business visa. In total, 50 countries, mainly in Africa and Asia, are now subject to this rule. The following 12 countries will join the official list from April 2, 2026:
- Africa Ethiopia, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tunisia
- Asia / Oceania Cambodia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea
- Europe / Caucasus : Georgia
- Americas / Caribbean Grenada, Nicaragua
These countries join the 38 nations already listed : Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Central African Republic, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
It should be noted that nationals of the forty or so countries benefiting from the Visa Waiver Program (mainly Europeans + Qataris) for stays of up to 90 days - and who require a ESTA - are exempt from this deposit.
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