US Introduces Visa Bond of Up to US$15,000 for Citizens of 25 More Countries

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The US Department of State has introduced a requirement for a cash bond when applying for entry visas for citizens of 25 additional countries, according to the American foreign affairs ministry’s official website.

Under the new rules, applicants from the listed countries must pay a bond ranging from US$5,000 to US$15,000 when submitting their visa application. The exact amount is determined individually during the visa interview at a US embassy or consulate.

Starting 21 January, the bond requirement will apply to citizens of Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, while for Turkmenistan the measure has been in effect since 1 January. As a result, the total number of countries subject to this mechanism has risen to 38, mostly from Africa, South Asia, and Oceania, as well as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Cuba, and Venezuela.

The State Department explained that the bond is being introduced due to frequent overstays in the US on B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas by citizens of these countries. It is emphasized that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval.

Bond payments can only be made through the official US Department of the Treasury payment system, Pay.gov, via a link provided by the consular officer.

Visa holders who have paid the bond must enter and exit the United States through one of three airports: Logan in Boston, John F. Kennedy in New York, or Dulles in Washington, D.C. The bond is automatically refunded after the applicant leaves the US before the visa expires. Refunds are also provided if entry is denied at the border checkpoint.

The bond mechanism was initially introduced in pilot mode in August 2025, applying to citizens of Malawi and Zambia. The State Department noted that this measure targets countries with high rates of visa violations and insufficient security measures.

Previously, in June 2025, US President Donald Trump implemented entry restrictions for citizens of 19 countries deemed high-risk. Twelve countries faced a complete ban, while seven had partial restrictions. In December, the White House expanded the list to 39 countries, with 19 under a complete ban, while resuming issuance of visitor and student visas for Turkmen citizens.