US Tightens Visa Rules: 38 Countries Including Nepal, Bhutan & Bangladesh Must Pay Up to $15,000 Bond to Enter

The US State Department has significantly expanded its visa bond policy, affecting 38 countries, including Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The new requirements, set to take effect on January 21, will require passport holders from these countries to post a security deposit ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for a US visa. The expansion comes as part of a broader push by the Trump administration to strengthen entry controls. The policy change has been met with criticism from some, who argue that it makes the visa process inaccessible to many applicants. However, US officials claim that the bond system helps deter visitors from overstaying their visas. Under the new rules, applicants from 25 additional countries will be subject to the bond requirement, bringing the total number of affected countries to 38. The list includes countries from Africa, Latin America, and Asia, and joins an existing list of 12 countries that were already required to post a bond. To qualify for a visa, applicants will need to meet the new requirements, which include mandatory in-person interviews, extensive social media disclosure, and detailed information about their travel and living arrangements. While posting a bond does not guarantee visa approval, applicants are eligible for a refund if their visa is rejected or if they can prove compliance with visa conditions. The countries newly added to the bond requirement include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cote D'Ivorie, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.