The Trump administration announced a major expansion of the visa bond program, as the U.S. Department of State added 25 additional countries, including Algeria, to the list of countries whose passport holders must pay a financial bond of up to $15,000 to apply for a visa.
This announcement came on Tuesday, less than a week after seven other countries were added to the list, raising the total number to 13 previously.
With the addition of the new 25 countries, the total number of countries covered by this measure becomes 38, most of which are in Africa, with some in Latin America and Asia. The bond requirement for the new countries will take effect on January 21, 2026, according to a notice posted on the official travel.state.gov website.
This measure is part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to tighten entry requirements to the United States, which also include requiring citizens from all visa-required countries to undergo personal interviews, disclose social media history for several years, in addition to providing accurate details about their past travel, accommodation arrangements, and family.
U.S. officials defended these bonds, which range from $5,000 to $15,000, asserting that they are effective in ensuring that citizens of the targeted countries do not overstay their allowed duration under the visa. They clarified that paying the bond does not guarantee a visa will be granted, but the amount is fully refunded if the application is denied or if the visa holder proves compliance with its conditions.
New countries subject to bonding starting January 21
Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. These countries join the previous list that includes: Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia.
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