WASHINGTON (AP) — The State Department announced on Wednesday its decision to include 12 additional countries to a list of nations whose citizens must post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to apply for U.S. visas. Effective from April 2, passport holders from Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia will be affected by this policy.
This bond requirement, originally initiated by the Trump administration, aims to address issues of visa overstays and curb illegal immigration. Those from designated countries, particularly many in Africa with high overstay rates, will need to pay bonds that can vary based on the discretion of consular officers. If the visa application is denied or the terms of the visa are adhered to, the bond will be refunded.
The State Department reported that the visa bond program has been effective in reducing instances of visa overstays, highlighting that almost 97% of the nearly 1,000 individuals who have posted the bond have complied with visa regulations.
Following this expansion, a total of 50 countries will now be subject to this policy. A complete list of affected countries is available on the State Department's website.
This bond requirement, originally initiated by the Trump administration, aims to address issues of visa overstays and curb illegal immigration. Those from designated countries, particularly many in Africa with high overstay rates, will need to pay bonds that can vary based on the discretion of consular officers. If the visa application is denied or the terms of the visa are adhered to, the bond will be refunded.
The State Department reported that the visa bond program has been effective in reducing instances of visa overstays, highlighting that almost 97% of the nearly 1,000 individuals who have posted the bond have complied with visa regulations.
Following this expansion, a total of 50 countries will now be subject to this policy. A complete list of affected countries is available on the State Department's website.
