The US Department of State has added more countries to its visa bond pilot programme which runs until August 5.
As of January 1, citizens from Botswana and Namibia are amongst a list of several new countries required to post a visa bond of $5 000, $10 000, or $15 000 (approximately R82 315, R164 635 or R246 997, respectively) when applying for a B1/B2 visa. The amount is determined at the time of the visa interview.
The applicant must also submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 agreeing to the terms of the bond through the online payment platform Pay.gov.
Visa holders who have posted a visa bond must enter and exit the US via Boston Logan International Airport, JFK International Airport or Washington Dulles International Airport.
The full visa bond amount will be returned if the applicant complies with the visa requirements and the terms in the bond form.
In August 2025, the US introduced visa bonds for nationals from Malawi and Zambia and in October, nationals from Tanzania were added to the list.
