According to the US Department of State’s Bureau of Global Public Affairs, the visa bond programme has recorded a 97 per cent return rate among bonded travellers, with nearly 1,000 visas issued under the scheme so far. Officials say the figures underscore the policy’s effectiveness in ensuring that short-term visitors comply with the terms of their stay.
This performance stands in sharp contrast to trends recorded during the final year of former President Joe Biden’s administration, when more than 44,000 visitors from countries currently subject to visa bonds overstayed their visas. Authorities say the disparity highlights the potential of the bond system to significantly reduce such violations.
Under the expanded policy, which takes effect on April 2, 2026, foreign nationals from affected countries will be required to post a refundable bond of $15,000 before being granted B1 (business) or B2 (tourism) visas to the United States. The bond is returned once the traveller exits the country in compliance with visa conditions.
The State Department confirmed that 12 additional countries will be added to the programme from that date, bringing the total number of participating nations to 50. The newly included countries are Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia. They will join 38 countries already covered by the policy, including Nigeria.
Officials indicated that more countries could be added over time, depending on assessed immigration risk factors.
Beyond compliance, the US government says the programme is also delivering substantial financial benefits. It estimates that removing an individual unlawfully present in the country costs taxpayers over $18,000 on average. By reducing overstays, the visa bond initiative is projected to save up to $800 million annually in enforcement and removal expenses.
Authorities maintain that the policy is a practical tool for strengthening immigration control while easing the financial burden on taxpayers, as the US continues to refine its visa and border management systems.