US Expands List of Countries Whose Citizens Must Pay Up to $15,000 Bonds to Apply for Visas
The Trump administration has recently added seven countries to the list of nations whose passport holders are required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States. This move is part of a broader effort to tighten requirements for entry to the US, including requiring citizens from all countries that require visas to sit for in-person interviews and disclose years of social media histories as well as detailed accounts of their and their families’ previous travel and living arrangements.
Background and Rationale
According to US officials, the bonds, which can range from $5,000 to $15,000, are effective in ensuring that citizens of targeted countries do not overstay their visas. The payment of the bond does not guarantee a visa will be granted, but the amount will be refunded if the visa is denied or when a visa holder demonstrates they have complied with the terms of the visa. The new countries covered by the requirement join Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia, which were all placed on the list in August and October of last year.
Impact on Affected Countries
The addition of Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan to the list brings the total number of countries to 13, with all but two of them in Africa. This makes the process of obtaining a US visa unaffordable for many, as the bonds are a significant financial burden. The State Department quietly added these countries to the list, which took effect on January 1, according to a notice posted on the travel.state.gov website.
Expert Insights and Reactions
The move has been met with criticism from some experts, who argue that the bonds are an unnecessary barrier to entry for citizens of these countries. Others have defended the policy, citing the need to ensure that visa holders comply with the terms of their visas. As the US continues to evolve its immigration policies, it remains to be seen how this move will impact the flow of visitors and immigrants to the country.
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