U.S. to demand bonds of up to $15,000 for visa applications from 12 more countries

The Trump administration is expanding a visa bond requirement to 12 additional countries, bringing the total to 50 nations whose citizens must post bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for U.S. visas beginning April 2. The policy, originally implemented last year, aims to reduce visa overstays by financially incentivizing travelers to leave the U.S. when their authorized stay expires. The expansion reflects the administration's broader push to curtail illegal migration and tighten immigration enforcement. Citizens from the newly added countries will face the same financial requirement as those from the original 38 countries already subject to the rule, making it a significant additional barrier to visa approval for applicants from these nations. The bond is refunded when the visa holder departs the country as required.