The Digest:
The US State Department has added 12 new countries to its "visa bond program," requiring travellers from these nations to pay a $15,000 refundable deposit for short-term business and tourism visas. The expanded list now covers 50 countries when the policy takes effect on April 2, 2026. The Trump administration initiative aims to curb visa overstays, with officials citing a 97% compliance rate among current bonded travellers. Funds are returned if applicants comply with visa terms, but forfeited if they overstay.
THE 12 NEW COUNTRIES ADDED
- Cambodia
- Ethiopia
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Lesotho
- Mauritius
- Mongolia
- Mozambique
- Nicaragua
- Papua New Guinea
- Seychelles
- Tunisia
[th]
[td]Africa[/td][td]Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Djibouti, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe[/td]
[td]Asia[/td][td]Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan[/td]
[td]Caribbean[/td][td]Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica[/td]
[td]Pacific[/td][td]Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu[/td]
[td]South America[/td][td]Venezuela[/td]Region
[/th][th]Countries
[/th]Travellers from the 50 affected countries must prepare for higher visa costs from April 2, with the $15,000 deposit adding significant financial pressure despite being refundable upon compliance.
Sources: Vanguard / AFP
