TUNIS. — The U.S. State Department has announced a significant expansion of its controversial visa bond program, now requiring citizens from 12 additional countries, including Tunisia, to pay a deposit of up to $15,000 when applying for temporary business and tourist visas. This new policy will take effect on April 2.
The initiative, part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, aims to reduce the number of visa overstays by visitors from countries with higher rates of noncompliance. Under the terms of the program, applicants from the affected nations must pay a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, which will be refunded if the individual complies with the visa conditions and leaves the U.S. before the expiration date. If the traveler overstays their visa, the deposit will be forfeited.
The expanded list now includes Tunisia, along with Ethiopia, Georgia, and Cambodia, among others. The new additions bring the total number of countries subject to the bond requirement to 50.
Since its launch in August 2025, the program has already seen nearly 1,000 applicants from participating countries. According to the U.S. State Department, 97% of these travelers have adhered to the visa terms and returned home as required. However, critics argue that the high bond amounts may place significant financial strain on travelers, potentially hindering international tourism and business exchange.
The addition of Tunisia to the list comes at a time when the U.S. has taken a stronger stance on immigration, particularly in countries with higher visa overstay rates. Officials argue that the visa bond program is an essential step toward improving visa compliance, but the policy has raised concerns over fairness and accessibility.
In total, the program now applies to countries such as Algeria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Nigeria, and Venezuela, among others. While the bond requirement currently affects only temporary business and tourism visas, the broader impact on diplomatic relations and travel between the U.S. and these nations remains a topic of ongoing debate.
The program will run for one year, during which time the State Department will assess its effectiveness in reducing visa overstays. Critics, however, remain skeptical of its long-term success and the broader implications for global mobility.
Full list of countries: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
