The US State Department has officially made permanent a visa bond program initially piloted under the Trump administration. The program targets citizens from 50 countries, predominantly in Africa, requiring them to post a financial bond when applying for US B1 and B2 visas.
Under the finalized regulation published in the Federal Register, the maximum bond amount has increased from $15,000 to $20,000 (approximately KSh 2.57 million). The program aims to reduce visa overstays by ensuring applicants comply with visa conditions.
How the Visa Bond Program Works
- Applicants from the affected countries must pay the bond before being interviewed for business or tourist visas.
- The bond is refunded if the visa is denied or if the visa holder complies with the terms of their stay.
- The list of countries includes Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and others.
Data from the pilot phase showed a dramatic reduction in visa overstays, from nearly 45,500 in 2024 to fewer than 50 within the program's first ten months. Despite this success, critics argue the bond requirement places a heavy financial burden on applicants from lower-income countries, potentially limiting legitimate travel for business, education, or family visits.
The State Department initially anticipated around 2,000 applicants would be subject to the bond, but the actual number reached approximately 20,000. Nearly half of these applicants opted not to pay the bond, resulting in an 83% decline in business and tourist visas issued to nationals from the listed countries.
The department expects the permanent rule to continue reducing visa demand from these countries, citing the high costs associated with arresting and deporting visa overstayers, estimated at $18,000 per individual.
