Trump Administration Forces Citizens of 25 More Countries to Post $15,000 Visa Bonds

The Trump administration’s State Department expanded a visa-bond pilot by adding 25 countries, bringing the list to 38 nations whose B1/B2 applicants may be required to post refundable bonds of $5,000 to $15,000.

“The United States administration under President Donald Trump has added the number of countries whose nationals are required to place a visa bond when applying for the B1/B2 visa”

Bizna Kenya

Multiple outlets reported the additions and bond amounts, and several placed the effective date near Jan. 21 (some naming 2026).

Bizna Kenya

Officials say the bond is intended to reduce overstays.

Agencies emphasize that payment does not guarantee a visa and that refunds are available if a visa is denied or the traveler complies with terms.

Critics warn the fees will make visas unaffordable or effectively bar many applicants from poorer countries.

The new additions are concentrated in Africa, with several countries in Latin America, the Caribbean and Asia among the latest entries; multiple outlets list overlapping country examples.

Folha de S.Paulo and The Whistler provide detailed lists and examples, naming countries such as Bangladesh, Cuba, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, Venezuela and Zimbabwe.

Daily Observer

Eastleigh Voice and Just News BD highlight Asian additions like Bangladesh, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan.

Some regional outlets emphasize the local significance for listed nations.

U.S. officials uniformly frame the bond as an enforcement measure to reduce visa overstays, and several outlets quote that defense.

“The list of countries whose nationals must post a visa bond in order to enter the United States has been updated by the United States”

financialexpress

Critics and regional commentators emphasize hardship and deterrence, with reporters and analysts saying the fee levels are likely to block many would-be visitors.

Time highlights the economic angle by comparing bond amounts to average monthly earnings in many affected countries, while WION and The Hindu foreground critics' warnings that the policy makes visas unaffordable.

Multiple outlets note that consular officers set bond levels (commonly $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000) during the visa interview.

Paying a bond does not guarantee visa approval, and refunds are issued following denials or lawful departure.

Folha de S.Paulo

Sources such as Eastleigh Voice and The Whistler warn applicants to pay fees only through official channels and emphasize that the bond is returned if the holder complies with visa conditions.

Other outlets highlight procedural details and exceptions in the pilot, while some local reports simplify the requirement as a flat $15,000 demand.

Coverage differs in tone and local framing.

“By Michael Sinkewicz Published January 06, 2026 The Trump administration is dramatically expanding a policy requiring some foreign travelers to post bonds of up to $15,000 before entering the United States”

Fox News

Western mainstream outlets such as Time and Fox News stress enforcement balance and include data showing economic effects.

Jagonews24

Asian and local outlets like The Hindu, The Indian Express, and Just News BD highlight unaffordability and broader measures that tighten entry.

Regional outlets such as Folha and TRT Afrika emphasize impacted countries and policy context in Latin America and Africa.

A few pieces introduce unique or uncorroborated details, for example The Indian Express’s reference to Nicolás Maduro being seized, which are absent elsewhere.

Overall, the sources jointly document the expansion while diverging on emphasis, level of detail, and occasional factual assertions.