The Trump administration is expanding a policy that requires visa applicants from certain countries to post bonds of up to $15,000, nearly tripling the number of nations affected. After recently adding seven countries to the list, the State Department announced that 25 more will be included starting January 21, bringing the total to 38.
Most of the newly added countries are in Africa, with others in Latin America and Asia. The measure makes it significantly more expensive for many people to apply for a U.S. visa and is part of a broader effort by the administration to tighten entry rules, including stricter interview requirements and expanded background checks.
US officials say the bonds — which range from $5,000 to $15,000 — are meant to discourage visa overstays. Paying the bond does not guarantee approval, but the money is refunded if the visa is denied or once travelers prove they followed the terms of their stay.
The latest additions include Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Nepal, Venezuela, Zimbabwe, and more than a dozen other countries, joining a group that already included nations such as Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia.
Supporters of the policy argue it strengthens immigration enforcement, while critics say it puts legal travel out of reach for many and unfairly targets developing nations.