The U.S. expands its visa bond program to 50 countries — Vietnam is not on the list
The U.S. State Department this week confirmed the expansion of its visa bond requirement program, adding 12 more countries, bringing the total to 50 effective April 2, 2026.
Under this policy, citizens from listed countries must post a bond of $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for nonimmigrant visas. The specific amount is determined by consular officers on a case-by-case basis.
👉 Vietnam is NOT on this list.
The 12 newly added countries: • Cambodia • Ethiopia • Georgia • Grenada • Lesotho • Mauritius • Mongolia • Mozambique • Nicaragua • Papua New Guinea • Seychelles • Tunisia
⸻
Policy Aimed at Curbing Overstays
The visa bond program was launched in 2025 under the Trump administration to reduce the number of foreigners remaining in the U.S. after their visas expire.
The bond will be: • Refunded if the visa is denied • Refunded if the applicant leaves the U.S. on time per their visa
Conversely, if the stay is overstayed, the bond may be forfeited.
⸻
Early Results
The U.S. State Department reported the program has shown clear results: 📊 Approximately 97% of nearly 1,000 people who posted bonds did not violate their visas
The agency considers this an effective tool for immigration control without expanding enforcement measures.
⸻
Broader Context
The list of affected countries primarily includes nations with high overstay rates, many in Africa and several developing countries.
The expansion comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten immigration policies, particularly for short-term tourist and business visas.
