October 23, 2025 · Program update

Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania added to the U.S. Visa Bond Program

On October 23, 2025, the State Department added Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania to the Visa Bond Program, bringing the total to six countries. B1/B2 applicants from these countries may now be required to post a $5,000–$15,000 bond as a condition of visa issuance.

Countries added October 23, 2025

What this means for applicants

• If your B1/B2 visa is approved, the consular officer may require a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 ($10,000 is the default) before the visa is issued.
• You have 30 days to post the bond — miss the window and the visa application is cancelled.
• The bond is filed via DHS Form I-352 and paid through the U.S. Treasury's Pay.gov.
• Bond holders must enter and exit the U.S. through commercial airports; the bond is automatically cancelled when you depart on time.
• You don't have to lock up the money yourself — VisaBond posts the bond for you for a one-time fee.

Source: U.S. Department of State — Countries Subject to Visa Bonds.