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“The U.S. Will Require Travelers From 50 Countries to Pay Up to $15,000 to Visit—What to Know
Travelers from 50 countries must now pay up to $15,000 in bonds to apply for U.S. B1 or B2 visas By Stacey Leasca, Published on March 29, 2026
It’s about to get way more expensive for some tourism and business travelers to visit the United States.
On March 18, President Donald Trump’s administration announced it would require travelers from 50 countries to post $15,000 bonds while applying for entry to the U.S. under a B1 or B2 visa.
“The visa bond program has already proven effective at drastically reducing the number of visa recipients who overstay their visas and illegally remain in the United States,” the State Department shared in a release as to why it was adding new nations to the list. “Nearly 1,000 foreigners have been issued visas under the program, and 97% of bonded travelers have returned home from the United States on time.”
The new countries included in the visa bond program, the State Department’s statement explained, include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
These countries join the 38 others already a part of the visa bond program. Those countries include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. It’s critical to note that the full amount of the bond will be “returned to visa recipients who return home in compliance with the terms of the visa and the bond,” or if the person chooses not to travel.
The countries added in March will be expected to pay the bond for any travel as of April 2. Those looking to apply need to submit specific forms (more information on that there) only “after a consular officer directs them to do so,” the State Department explained. Then, applicants will receive a direct link to pay through Pay.gov. “They must not use any third-party website for posting the bond. The U.S. Government is not responsible for any money paid outside of its systems,” it added.
Also critically, being able to pay the bond does not guarantee you will get a visa. If someone pays fees without a consular officer’s direction, the fees will not be returned.
And, while a smaller detail, visa holders should be aware that they may only enter and exit the United States through commercial airports, “including CBP preclearance locations.” Visa holders cannot land or leave on charter flights or boats. And remember, staying past the date of authorization, even by a day, means forfeiting the bond. See all the details at travel.state.gov.”
