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

• At your B1/B2 visa interview, the consular officer may require a bond of $10,000, $15,000, or $20,000 before your visa can be issued.
• The visa stays refused under INA 221(g) until the bond is posted — the sooner it's posted, the sooner the visa can be issued.
• 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 — VisaDeposits posts the bond for you for a one-time fee.

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