United States imposes hefty visa bonds on Tunisia and 11 additional countries

On March 9, 2026, US President Donald Trump delivered remarks during a press conference at Trump National Doral in Miami, Florida, where he warned of a potential escalation of attacks on Iran if the country disrupts oil supplies, which have surged due to the ongoing Middle East war.

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The US State Department announced on Wednesday that citizens from 12 additional countries, including Cambodia, Ethiopia, and Georgia, will be required to pay a $15,000 deposit to obtain certain visas.

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This expansion will bring the total number of countries participating in the Trump administration's "visa bond program" to 50 when it takes effect on April 2, according to the State Department, which applies to both short-term business and tourism visas.

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The program was launched last year as part of a broader effort to curb overstays and combat illegal immigration, with the deposit being refundable if the applicant adheres to all visa terms.

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If the applicant fails to leave the United States by the designated deadline, the funds will be forfeited, the State Department explained.

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A State Department fact sheet revealed that nearly 1,000 foreigners have been issued visas under the program, with 97 percent of bonded travelers returning to their home countries on time.

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The 12 new countries added to the program include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.

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The existing 38 countries already participating in the program are Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Ivory Coast, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.