The U.S. Department of State updated its website on 6 January 2026 listing those "Countries Subject to Visa Bonds."
Axios published on 6 January 2026 an article titled "Trump Adds 25 Countries to Costly U.S. Visa Bond Policy" by Julianna Bragg.
The Trump administration just added 25 countries to the State Department's list of nations whose citizens may be required to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, determined at the time of the visa interview, to enter the United States. The newly added nations' bond requirements will take effect on 21 January.
Approved visa holders will only be allowed to enter the United States through one of three airports: Boston Logan International, John F. Kennedy International, and Washington Dulles International.
The addition of the 25 countries subject to visa bonds brings the total to 38 now required to post bonds. African countries account for 24 of the 38 countries. Most of them are on the list because of a history of visa overstays.
The 24 African countries are: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
