U.S. President Donald Trump looks on as he meets with the White House Task Force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., November 17, 2025
The United States has expanded a controversial visa bond policy, adding 25 more countries to a list of nations whose citizens may be required to post hefty financial bonds before being granted entry into the country.
According to the U.S. State Department, the expanded list now comprises 38 countries, largely drawn from Africa, Latin America and South Asia. Citizens from the listed nations who qualify for B1/B2 visitor visas for tourism or business may be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 (approximately Ksh 1.9 million).
The newly added countries will be subject to the policy starting January 21, the State Department said.
Among the countries included is Venezuela, which has been under heightened U.S. scrutiny following recent political developments involving its leadership. The visa bond requirement applies to travelers who are otherwise eligible for U.S. visas, with the final bond amount determined by consular officers during visa interviews.
“Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000,” the State Department said in a statement published on its website.
Applicants will be required to agree to the bond conditions and make payments through Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury Department’s online payment platform.
The visa bond policy was first introduced as a pilot program in August and has since been expanded as part of efforts by President Donald Trump’s administration to tighten immigration controls. U.S. officials say the measure is designed to discourage visitors from overstaying their visas, which are intended strictly for short-term tourism or business activities.
Since returning to office last January, President Trump has pursued a hard-line immigration agenda that includes aggressive deportations, increased visa revocations, enhanced background screening, and closer scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity and past public statements.
Human rights organisations and immigrant advocacy groups have criticised the visa bond policy, arguing that it imposes unfair financial barriers on travelers from developing nations and undermines principles of equal access and due process.
Trump and his allies, however, have defended the measures, saying they are necessary to strengthen national security, enforce immigration laws, and ensure compliance with visa conditions.
The expansion of the visa bond policy is expected to further complicate travel to the United States for citizens of the affected countries, particularly those seeking short-term visits for family, business or tourism.
