The U.S. Department of State has expanded the list of countries whose nationals may be required to post a visa bond as a condition of obtaining a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The updated list was last revised January 6, 2026, with the largest set of additions taking effect January 21, 2026.
This change may impact short-term business travel planning, including costs, consular processing timelines, and travel routing.
What Is a Visa Bond?
A visa bond is a refundable security deposit that certain B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa applicants may be required to post. The bond amount is set at the visa interview and may be $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
Applicants directed to post a bond must submit payment must through the U.S. government’s Pay.gov system using a link provided by the consulate. Applicants should not use third-party websites, and fees paid without consular direction are not refundable.
It is important to note that posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance or admission.
Newly Added Countries as of January 21, 2026
Nationals of the following countries were newly added and may be subject to visa bonds effective January 21, 2026:
- Algeria
- Angola
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bangladesh
- Benin
- Burundi
- Cabo Verde
- Cote d’Ivoire
- Cuba
- Djibouti
- Dominica
- Fiji
- Gabon
- Kyrgyzstan
- Nepal
- Nigeria
- Senegal
- Tajikistan
- Togo
- Tonga
- Tuvalu
- Uganda
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- Zimbabwe
Previously Listed Countries
The following countries were listed earlier and remain subject to visa bond requirements based on the implementation dates shown below:
- Bhutan (January 1, 2026)
- Botswana (January 1, 2026)
- Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
- Guinea (January 1, 2026)
- Guinea Bissau (January 1, 2026)
- Namibia (January 1, 2026)
- Turkmenistan (January 1, 2026)
- Mauritania (October 23, 2025)
- Sao Tome and Principe (October 23, 2025)
- Tanzania (October 23, 2025)
- The Gambia (October 11, 2025)
- Malawi (August 20, 2025)
- Zambia (August 20, 2025)
Designated Ports of Entry
As a condition of the bond, travelers who post a visa bond must enter and exit the U.S. through designated airports only, currently:
- Boston Logan (BOS)
- John F. Kennedy (JFK)
- Washington Dulles (IAD)
Failure to use the designated ports may result in entry being denied or a departure not being properly recorded.
When Is the Bond Refunded?
The bond will typically be canceled and refunded automatically if DHS records show the traveler departed on or before the authorized stay period; the traveler never enters the U.S. before the visa expires; or the traveler applies for admission but is denied at the port of entry.
MH Takeaways
The addition of a significant number of countries subject to the bond requirement will require business travelers and tourists to be aware that the imposition of a visa bond increases up-front travel costs, adds additional processing steps, and requires careful travel routing to ensure entry/exit occurs through designated ports. Meltzer Hellrung will continue to monitor changes to the visa bond country list and can provide travel guidance to foreign nationals who may be subject to the bond requirement.
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