WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department has announced that it will add 12 countries to an expanding list of passport holders required to post bonds of up to $15,000 as part of the visa application process for the United States, effective April 2. The countries included are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
The bonds are refundable if the visa application is denied or if the individual complies with the visa terms upon approval. This initiative expands the existing program, which was introduced under the Trump administration to reduce immigration overstays and strengthen border security.
Following the implementation of this new requirement, the number of countries whose citizens must adhere to this regulation will increase to 50. The bonds can range from $5,000 to $15,000 based on individual circumstances and the discretion of the consular officer.
According to the State Department, the visa bond program has significantly decreased the number of recipients who overstay their visas. Recent data suggests that nearly 97% of participants who posted a bond have successfully adhered to their visa conditions, thereby not overstaying their welcome in the U.S. For more information on the full list of affected countries, visit the State Department's website.
The bonds are refundable if the visa application is denied or if the individual complies with the visa terms upon approval. This initiative expands the existing program, which was introduced under the Trump administration to reduce immigration overstays and strengthen border security.
Following the implementation of this new requirement, the number of countries whose citizens must adhere to this regulation will increase to 50. The bonds can range from $5,000 to $15,000 based on individual circumstances and the discretion of the consular officer.
According to the State Department, the visa bond program has significantly decreased the number of recipients who overstay their visas. Recent data suggests that nearly 97% of participants who posted a bond have successfully adhered to their visa conditions, thereby not overstaying their welcome in the U.S. For more information on the full list of affected countries, visit the State Department's website.
