The United States will require visa applicants from 12 additional countries to pay a refundable deposit of up to $15,000, expanding a policy aimed at reducing overstays by short-term visitors.According to a recent update, the rule applies to applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas, covering both business and tourist travel. The bond amount ranges from US$5,000 to US$15,000, depending on the applicant’s profile and country of origin. This measure will take effect from April 2, 2026.The latest expansion adds the countries of Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Mongolia, Nicaragua, Tunisia and Papua New Guinea. With this change, the policy will now apply to a total of approximately 50 countries.The US government says the bond system is designed to ensure compliance with visa conditions. Applicants who comply with the terms of their stay, including leaving the country before their visa expires, will receive a full refund. Those who breach their visa conditions (such as overstaying) may have their bond forfeited.The program targets countries that U.S. authorities have identified as having relatively high rates of visa overstays. Officials have not announced any changes to the criteria used to determine which countries are included.Deposit requirements do not apply to all travelers from the countries listed. Consular officers retain the discretion to determine when to impose a bond as part of the visa process. This means some applicants may not be asked to pay, while others may face paying the full amount.The policy builds on an earlier expansion announced in January 2026, when other countries were subject to the same requirement. At the time, officials said the move was an effort to tighten immigration controls while maintaining legal access to U.S. travel under the Trump administration.There is no indication that the rule will be extended to countries such as India that are not part of the current list.
