The United States government has expanded its visa bond program, adding seven countries to the list of nations whose citizens are required to post a bond of up to $15,000 to apply for a US visa. The new countries included in the program are Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan. This move brings the total number of countries on the list to 13, with 11 of them being African nations.
The additions to the list were made by the State Department and took effect on January 1. The visa bond program is part of the US government’s efforts to strengthen immigration controls and prevent visa overstays. Citizens of the affected countries will need to pay a bond, which can range from $5,000 to $15,000, as a condition of their visa application. The bond will be refunded if the visa is denied or if the visa holder complies with the terms of their visa.
The US government has defended the visa bond program, citing its effectiveness in ensuring that citizens of targeted countries do not overstay their visas. The program requires citizens of countries that require visas to undergo in-person interviews and provide detailed information about their social media history, travel, and living arrangements. The new additions to the list join six other countries that were added to the program in August and October of last year, including Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania, Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia.
The expansion of the visa bond program is the latest in a series of measures taken by the US government to tighten immigration controls. The program has been criticized for making it more difficult and expensive for citizens of affected countries to obtain a US visa. However, US officials maintain that the program is necessary to prevent visa overstays and ensure national security. The impact of the expanded program on international travel and diplomacy remains to be seen, and it is likely to be closely monitored by governments and travelers around the world.
