Under the expanded policy, applicants from the newly listed countries could be required to post visa bonds of up to $15,000 (approximately Ksh.1.9 million) when applying for B1/B2 visas, which are issued for tourism and short-term business travel.
The policy is set to take effect on January 21, 2026, bringing the total number of affected countries to 38.
The majority of the countries added to the list are from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, regions that U.S. immigration authorities say have historically recorded higher rates of visa overstays.
The majority of the countries added to the list are from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia, regions that U.S. immigration authorities say have historically recorded higher rates of visa overstays.
Among the notable additions is Venezuela, which was included shortly after dramatic developments involving the country’s leadership.
Over the weekend, Venezuela’s toppled leader Nicolas Maduro was seized by U.S. forces and transported to New York, a move that has already heightened diplomatic tensions between Washington and Caracas.
According to the State Department, affected applicants will be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the final amount determined during the visa interview process.
According to the State Department, affected applicants will be required to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the final amount determined during the visa interview process.
The bond must be paid through the U.S. Treasury Department’s online payment platform, Pay.gov, and applicants must formally agree to the bond conditions before their visa can be issued.
U.S. officials say the bond will be refunded if the visitor complies with the terms of their visa, including departing the country on time and adhering to permitted activities.
U.S. officials say the bond will be refunded if the visitor complies with the terms of their visa, including departing the country on time and adhering to permitted activities.
However, failure to comply could result in the forfeiture of the bond and future immigration penalties.
The visa bond initiative was first introduced as a pilot programme in August 2025, targeting a smaller group of countries.
The visa bond initiative was first introduced as a pilot programme in August 2025, targeting a smaller group of countries.
The expansion signals a broader commitment by President Donald Trump’s administration to tighten immigration controls and reduce visa overstays, which the government views as a significant contributor to undocumented immigration.
Since returning to office in January 2025, President Trump has pursued a hard-line immigration agenda, marked by mass deportations, increased vetting of visa applicants, revocation of visas and green cards, and enhanced scrutiny of immigrants’ social media activity and public statements.
The administration argues that the visa bond policy is not a blanket travel ban but a targeted enforcement tool designed to strengthen compliance with immigration laws while still allowing legitimate travel for tourism and business.
However, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and immigrant advocacy groups, who argue that the financial requirement unfairly discriminates against citizens of developing countries and effectively places international travel out of reach for many ordinary applicants.
Critics also warn that the policy undermines principles of equal treatment and due process, while potentially harming diplomatic relations and people-to-people exchanges.
Despite the backlash, Trump and his allies maintain that the measures are necessary to protect U.S. national security and uphold the integrity of the immigration system.
Since returning to office in January 2025, President Trump has pursued a hard-line immigration agenda, marked by mass deportations, increased vetting of visa applicants, revocation of visas and green cards, and enhanced scrutiny of immigrants’ social media activity and public statements.
The administration argues that the visa bond policy is not a blanket travel ban but a targeted enforcement tool designed to strengthen compliance with immigration laws while still allowing legitimate travel for tourism and business.
However, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organisations and immigrant advocacy groups, who argue that the financial requirement unfairly discriminates against citizens of developing countries and effectively places international travel out of reach for many ordinary applicants.
Critics also warn that the policy undermines principles of equal treatment and due process, while potentially harming diplomatic relations and people-to-people exchanges.
Despite the backlash, Trump and his allies maintain that the measures are necessary to protect U.S. national security and uphold the integrity of the immigration system.
They argue that visitors who intend to comply with visa conditions should have no reason to fear the bond requirement.
As the January 21 implementation date approaches, travelers from the affected countries are being urged to seek updated guidance from U.S. embassies and consulates to understand how the new rules may affect their travel plans.
As the January 21 implementation date approaches, travelers from the affected countries are being urged to seek updated guidance from U.S. embassies and consulates to understand how the new rules may affect their travel plans.
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