US to require $15k bond to visa recipients from 12 more countries

WASHINGTON: President Trump’s administration will require citizens from 50 countries to post bonds of $15,000 to apply for US entry, a state department official said on Wednesday. The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said 12 countries are being added to a list that already includes 38 other nations, largely in Africa.

The expanded visa bond programme, which requires those foreign nationals to pay $15,000 for a B1 or B2 visa for business and tourism, goes into effect on April 2. The aim is to prevent visitors from overstaying their visas, the official said.