Zimbabweans Now Required To Post US$15,000 Bonds For US Visas

The United States Department of State has added Zimbabwe, Venezuela and 36 other countries to a list of nations whose citizens may be required to post a bond of up to US$15,000 when applying for a US visa, with the new rules set to take effect on 21 January 2026.

The expansion increases the total number of affected countries to 38, mainly in Africa, Latin America and Asia.

Nationals from these countries who are otherwise eligible for B1/B2 visitor visas for business or tourism may be asked to pay a refundable bond, typically ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, as part of their visa application process.

Zimbabwe and Venezuela were among the latest additions announced by the State Department.

Other newly included nations taking effect on 21 January include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda and Vanuatu.

These join countries already subject to the requirement, such as Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea‑Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan and Zambia.

In a statement, the Department of State said the bond requirement is designed to discourage visitors from overstaying their visas, citing figures on estimated overstay rates.

The bond is refundable if the applicant’s visa is denied or if they comply with the terms of their stay. The statement reads:

“Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for US$5 000, US$10 000 or US$15 000. The amount is determined at the time of the visa interview.

“The applicant must also submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352. Applicants must agree to the terms of the bond through the Department of Treasury’s online payment platform Pay.gov.

“This requirement applies regardless of place of application. A bond does not guarantee visa issuance.

“If someone pays fees without a consular officer’s direction, the fees will not be returned.”

Related:

United States To Shut Visa Processing In Botswana Powerful Twin Earthquakes Rattle Venezuela