The Trump administration significantly expanded its visa bond pilot program, adding seven countries to the list of nations whose passport holders are required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States. This latest effort, which took effect on January 1, makes the process of obtaining a U.S. visa potentially unaffordable for many citizens of the affected countries.

The State Department quietly announced the addition of Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan to the list. With these new designations, a total of thirteen countries are now subject to this requirement, with eleven of them located in Africa. Previously, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia had been placed on the list in August and October of the previous year.

U.S. officials have defended the implementation of these visa bonds, which can range from $5,000 to $15,000. They maintain that the bonds are an effective mechanism to ensure that citizens of targeted countries do not overstay their visas. For countries like Botswana and Namibia, which were recently added, citizens applying for a U.S. B1/B2 visitor visa may be required to post an exorbitant bond that could be equivalent to R82,000 to R247,000 (though the program does not directly affect South Africans). The specific bond amount is decided during the visa interview and forms part of a pilot program currently set to run until August 5.

Payment of the bond does not guarantee a visa will be granted. However, the amount will be fully refunded if the visa is denied or if the visa holder demonstrates full compliance with the terms of their visa. This includes using the visa correctly, leaving the U.S. before their authorized stay expires, and adhering to all visa conditions. Conversely, if the terms are breached, the bond can be forfeited.

This expansion of the visa bond program is part of the Trump administration's broader strategy to tighten requirements for entry to the U.S. Earlier measures included requiring citizens from all countries that necessitate visas to sit for in-person interviews, disclose years of social media histories, and provide detailed accounts of their and their families’ previous travel and living arrangements. Furthermore, travelers who are required to post a visa bond face additional restrictions, as they are limited to entering and leaving the U.S. through only three specific airports: Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York), and Washington Dulles International Airport.