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By Sam Stevenson
Associate News Editor
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The United States has extended a policy that requires visa applicants from 13 countries—mostly in Africa—to pay reimbursable bonds of up to $15,000 before they are allowed to enter the country.
Why It Matters
U.S. officials say the measures are intended to curb visa overstays, a long-standing concern in American immigration policy.
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What To Know
The policy—introduced last year under President Donald Trump's administration—has expanded to include an additional seven countries, bringing the total to 13.
It is part of a series of ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to tighten U.S. border and immigration controls.
The additional countries are Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia and Turkmenistan. They join Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia.
Except for the Asian nations of Bhutan and Turkmenistan, the list comprises African countries. The new designations took effect on January 1, according to the U.S. State Department's public notice.
The bond amounts range from $5,000 to $15,000. U.S. officials determine the payment level at the time of the visa interview.
Visa applicants must also agree to the terms by submitting Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and making payment via the U.S. Treasury's Pay.gov website.
Payment of the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be granted; denied applicants are refunded. If a traveler receives a visa but does not overstay, the bond amount is refunded after their lawful departure.
Applicants must also comply with added procedural requirements, including in-person interviews and providing several years' worth of social media history plus comprehensive travel and residence documentation.
In addition, successful visa holders from affected countries are required to enter and exit through specified ports, such as Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport.
What People Are Saying
The State Department's website said: "Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The amount is determined at the time of the visa interview. … This requirement applies regardless of place of application.
"Applicants should submit Form I-352 to post a bond only after a consular officer directs them to do so. Applicants will get a direct link to pay through Pay.gov.
"They must not use any third-party website for posting the bond. The U.S. Government is not responsible for any money paid outside of its systems. A bond does not guarantee visa issuance. If someone pays fees without a consular officer's direction, this person will not get that money back."
What Happens Next
The State Department maintains that the policy could remain in place indefinitely as officials continue to monitor visa compliance and overstay rates.
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