The United States State Department (USCIS) has extended its visa bond program to 25 additional countries, bringing the total number of affected nations to 38 as of January 7, 2026.
The expansion, which takes effect January 21, places particular pressure on countries offering citizenship-by-investment programs (CIPs), with officials citing concerns about vetting difficulties and overstay rates.
The move marks an escalation of a pilot program launched in August 2025, initially targeting only Malawi and Zambia.
Under the policy, nationals from designated countries seeking B-1 or B-2 visitor visas must post refundable bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, determined during consular interviews.
The bonds are forfeited if travelers overstay their authorized period or violate visa terms.
CBI Nations Draw Heightened Attention
Among CBI jurisdictions, the State Department’s latest update adds Tonga to the list of jurisdictions subject to the bond requirement for the first time.
The Pacific nation has been developing a CBI proposal that would charge single applicants $190,000 for citizenship. The program has not yet launched, having emerged just as the island nation prepared to select its new prime minister, Lord Fatafehi Fakafanua, following November elections.
Fakafanua, who championed the initiative, has described it as a solution to aid dependency and budget deficits. The program is reportedly designed by Henley and Partners.
São Tomé and Príncipe, which launched its own CBI program in late 2025, joined the bond list in October. The Central African island nation has approved approximately 21 applications to date.
Antigua and Barbuda, already subject to partial US visa restrictions since December 2025, appears among the 25 newly added countries.
The Caribbean nation recently negotiated limited relief from broader travel bans imposed by the Trump administration, securing continued access for nationals holding valid visas issued before December 31, 2025.
Antigua’s government is now considering extending its CBI physical residency to address US and EU concerns.
Policy Rationale and Implementation Details
The State Department justifies the bond program on two primary grounds: visa overstay rates exceeding 10% and what it terms screening and vetting deficiencies.
Officials say that such applicants may have insufficient personal history within their countries of nationality for adequate screening, and that CBI programs sometimes enable name changes that can conceal criminal or illicit ties.
The document calculates bond amounts based on Immigration Enforcement Lifecycle costs of approximately $17,000 per person, including removal expenses.
Beyond CBI nations, the January expansion adds Venezuela, Cuba, Algeria, Nigeria, Nepal, Kyrgyzstan, and numerous African countries to bond requirements.
Venezuela’s inclusion comes days after US forces seized former President Nicolás Maduro.
Approved bondholders face additional restrictions beyond the financial requirement. All must enter and exit exclusively through Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, or Washington Dulles International Airport.
Maximum authorized stays are capped at 30 days, compared to typical six-month tourist authorizations. These constraints apply regardless of application location.
Bonds are automatically canceled and funds returned under three circumstances: if DHS records the visa holder’s departure on or before the expiration of their authorized stay; if the holder does not travel to the US before the visa expires; or if the holder is denied admission at the port of entry.
USCIS determines breach cases, including situations where travelers depart after authorized dates, overstay without departing, or apply to adjust immigration status.3
The Department of State describes the visa bond mechanism as a “diplomatic tool” aiming to encourage foreign governments to take immediate action to reduce their nationals’ rates of overstay during temporary visits.
The State Department retains authority to modify the country list on a rolling basis with just 15 days’ notice.
