The Trump administration is making significant changes to a policy mandating that some foreign travelers must pay security deposits ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 before they can enter the U.S.
On Tuesday, the State Department added 25 more countries to the visa deposit requirement, which nearly triples the total. This follows a previous addition of seven countries aimed at enhancing immigration enforcement.
Now, a total of 38 countries, predominantly in Africa, along with some in Latin America and Asia, are affected by this policy, which could complicate the visa application process for many travelers.
The new bond requirements will apply to countries including Venezuela and take effect on January 21st.
As noted on the State Department’s website, travelers eligible for B1/B2 visas will need to provide a deposit amount determined at their visa interview, which can be set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
It’s important to point out that while depositing money doesn’t guarantee visa approval, refunds will be given if the visa is denied or if the holder follows the visa conditions.
This expansion stems from a pilot program started in August, which mandated certain visa applicants from high overstay countries to post a bond.
The Trump administration has introduced various immigration policy changes that could alter how people travel, obtain visas, and seek U.S. citizenship, with some measures scheduled to begin in 2026.
All visa applicants are now required to undergo in-person interviews and disclose their social media histories, along with information about their families’ past travel and living arrangements.
The Department of Homeland Security recently expanded its use of facial recognition for noncitizens entering and exiting the U.S.
Moreover, there’s the “Trump Gold Card,” an initiative providing a streamlined path to citizenship for foreign nationals willing to invest $1 million in the U.S., which could potentially generate significant revenue.
The new countries affected by the deposit requirement from January 21st include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.
Existing countries on the list encompass Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia.
