Trump Admin Expands List of Countries From Which Visa Applicants Must Pay Pricey ‘Bonds’

More and more countries are being added to the list for which passport holders must put down as much as $15,000 to apply for a visa to enter the U.S. The Trump Administration added 25 more countries on Tuesday, after quietly adding seven less than a week earlier, to bring the total to 38—for now. These visa bonds, which were announced last year and are refunded upon denial of a visa application or upon successful compliance with the terms of the visa, are ostensibly intended to address high visa overstay rates from certain countries, though given the high amounts, particularly relative to some of the countries’ average incomes, are likely to also have a deterrent effect. For the 29 countries with data available from the International Labour Organization of the 38 countries impacted by the policy, the average monthly earnings per person is about $675. Most of the countries most recently added to the list are in Africa, with some others in Asia and South America, including Venezuela and Cuba. The bond requirements for the newly added nations take effect on Jan. 21. The size of the bond, which can range from $5,000 to $15,000, is determined by consular officers during an applicant’s visa interview process, though paying a bond does not guarantee a visa will be issued.  The policy applies to nationals from the designated countries applying for B1 or B2 visas, which are for temporary stays for business, tourism, or medical purposes; and approved visa applicants who have posted a bond, according to the State Department, must only enter the U.S. through Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, or Washington Dulles International Airport.