The U.S. Department of State has recently updated the list of countries whose citizens, when applying for a B-1/B-2 visa (business and tourism), may be required to provide a visa bond as a requirement for visa issuance.

This deposit, which may amount to USD 5,000, USD 10,000, or USD 15,000, does not guarantee visa approval. The specific bond amount is determined during the consular interview and may be refunded if the visa is denied or if the applicant complies with the conditions of their stay and departs the United States within the authorized period.

The countries currently subject to the visa bond requirement are-

Africa and the Middle East:
Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Asia:
Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tonga, Tuvalu, and Vanuatu.

Caribbean and Latin America:
Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, and Venezuela.

Others:
Fiji, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), and Sierra Leone.

Currently, this requirement applies only to B-1/B-2 visas.