The US government will require applicants from 50 countries to post a $15,000 bond for B1/B2 visas to curb overstays, effective April 2, 2026.
WASHINGTON — The administration of President Donald Trump has announced that, starting April 2, 2026, citizens from an additional 12 countries will be required to post a $15,000 visa bond to apply for a B1 (business) or B2 (tourism) visa to the United States. This expands a bond program that previously applied to 38 countries, mainly from Africa, bringing the total to 50 countries subject to this policy. The newly added countries are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
A U.S. State Department official, speaking anonymously, stated that this measure aims to reduce the number of visitors who overstay their visas by tying the bond’s return to compliance with visa terms or non-travel. The bond requirement is part of a broader immigration policy focusing on national security and immigration enforcement under the Trump administration, which has also included travel bans and increased screening measures.
Human rights organizations have criticized these policies, arguing they may undermine due process and freedom of expression. Conversely, the administration contends these efforts improve domestic security. This visa bond program reportedly has decreased visa overstays among citizens of countries already included.
For workers overseas, including Filipinos, this means increased financial requirements when applying for U.S. visas if their home countries are or become part of the bond list. The Philippine government and its embassy have yet to release an official statement regarding the bond requirement’s expansion.
Sources referenced:
- https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/world/980559/us-to-require-15-000-bond-to-visa/story/
