The United States has expanded its controversial visa bond program, adding The Gambia to the list of countries whose nationals must pay a bond of up to $15,000 before receiving certain U.S. visas.
This follows earlier additions of Malawi and Zambia, with the rule for those two countries taking effect on August 20, 2024. Gambian nationals will face the new requirement starting October 11, 2024.
According to the U.S. Department of State, any citizen or national traveling on a passport from Malawi, Zambia, or The Gambia who is otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
The amount is determined at the time of the visa interview.
Applicants must agree to the bond terms through the Department of the Treasury’s online platform, Pay.gov, and are directed to submit Form I-352 only after a consular officer instructs them to do so.
The State Department has cautioned against using third-party websites, warning that any fees paid outside official channels are not refundable.
Importantly, the payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance. “If someone pays fees without a consular officer’s direction, they will not get that money back,” the department said.
Visa holders who post a bond are also required to enter and exit the U.S. through three designated airports: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Failure to comply may result in denied entry or unrecorded departures.
The bond is refundable if the visa holder abides by all conditions, including departing the U.S. on or before their authorized stay ends, not traveling before the visa expires, or being denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.
Origins of the Visa Bond Program
The U.S. visa bond requirement officially came into effect in August 2025, when the State Department launched a 12-month pilot programme targeting select countries with high visa overstay rates.
Malawi and Zambia were the first to be designated under the policy, which requires applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on consular discretion at the time of the interview.
The pilot went into effect on August 20, 2025, following the publication of a Temporary Final Rule earlier that month.
Under the terms, approved visas are typically single-entry, valid for only three months, and allow a maximum stay of 30 days in the United States.
To ensure compliance, visa holders who have posted a bond must also enter and exit through three designated ports of entry: Boston Logan (BOS), John F. Kennedy (JFK), and Washington Dulles (IAD).
Although its current rollout is new, the visa bond concept dates back to 2020, when the Trump administration first floated it as a deterrent to visa overstays.
At the time, the rule was introduced as a temporary measure but was not fully implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Its revival in 2025 represents a continuation of Washington’s broader strategy of using financial and regulatory tools to manage migration from countries deemed “high-risk.”
What This Means for African Travelers
For The Gambia, Malawi, and Zambia, the new policy places an added financial burden on nationals seeking to visit the U.S. for business or tourism.
While the bond is refundable if all visa conditions are met, the upfront cost could deter many potential travelers and complicate mobility between Africa and the United States.
As the U.S. continues to recalibrate its immigration framework, African nations remain disproportionately affected by restrictive policies.
The visa bond program further highlights the broader trend of tightening entry requirements, reflecting Washington’s efforts to reshape its immigration system through both financial and regulatory tools.
