The United States has formalised a visa bond programme requiring some applicants for B-1 and B-2 visas to pay a refundable security deposit before approval. The rule, effective from August 3, 2026, targets travellers from selected countries with high visa overstay rates.

Background and Purpose

This measure aims to curb visa overstays, where visitors remain in the US beyond their authorised period. The pilot programme, launched in August 2025, reportedly led to a significant reduction in overstays among the participating countries.

Bond Amounts and Conditions

  • Applicants may be asked to pay bonds of $10,000 (approx. Ksh1.3M), $15,000 (approx. Ksh1.9M), or $20,000 (approx. Ksh2.6M).
  • The exact bond amount is determined by consular officers based on individual circumstances including financial status and travel purpose.
  • The bond is refundable if the traveller complies with visa conditions and leaves the US on time; it is forfeited if the conditions are violated.

Application Process and Restrictions

During visa interviews, consular officers will decide if a bond is required. Payment instructions will be provided via a US Treasury platform. Visas granted under this programme will have an annotation indicating a bond was posted.

Travellers must enter and exit the US through commercial airports; land and sea borders are excluded under the bond terms.

Countries Affected and Impact on Kenya

The US has named several African countries under the programme, including Algeria, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Uganda among others. Kenya is currently not on the list but may be added in the future based on visa compliance assessments.

The State Department will update the list on its travel website and provide at least 15 days’ notice before adding countries.

Rationale and Costs

The US government estimates that managing visa overstays costs around $18,000 (Ksh2.3M) per case. The bond scheme encourages compliance and improvements in travel document security and information sharing.

Applicants should note that the bond is not a visa fee but a security measure to ensure adherence to visa terms.