The United States is preparing to tighten its immigration rules by increasing the maximum visa bond for business and tourist travellers to $20,000 (about Ksh2.56 million) while making the controversial programme permanent.
The proposal targets visitors from more than 30 African countries as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to reduce visa overstays and illegal immigration. Although Kenya has been left out of the latest list, U.S. authorities say additional countries could be added once the programme becomes a permanent feature of America's immigration system.
US visa bond programme expands as security deposit rises to $20,000 ¶
A draft Federal Register notice published on Friday, July 31, proposes raising the maximum visa bond from the current $15,000 to $20,000 for selected applicants seeking B1 and B2 visas.
The visas cover business and tourism travel to the United States.
Unlike standard visa application fees, the bond acts as a refundable financial guarantee designed to ensure visitors comply with immigration laws.
Under the proposal, U.S. consular officers will retain discretion to determine whether an applicant should pay the bond before a visa is issued.
The money will be refunded if the visa application is denied or, where approved, after the traveller leaves the United States within the permitted period.
The proposal also removes the existing $5,000 bond option, leaving higher financial thresholds for affected applicants.
Officials say the revised framework is intended to discourage visa overstays while strengthening compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.
More than 30 African countries targeted under permanent programme ¶
The proposed permanent programme applies to visitors from over 30 African countries, including Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Tunisia, Botswana, Namibia and Mauritius.
Kenya is not included in the current proposal. However, U.S. authorities have indicated that additional countries could be incorporated into the programme once it becomes permanent.
Travellers required to post the bond will also have to use designated U.S. ports of entry and departure, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Boston Logan International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
Reports from the United States indicate the Federal Register notice is expected to be formally published on Monday, when the visa bond programme is also expected to transition from a pilot project into a permanent immigration policy.
Trump administration cites visa overstays and deportation costs ¶
The visa bond programme was first introduced by the Trump administration in August 2025 as part of broader measures aimed at reducing illegal immigration and visa overstays.
According to U.S. officials, the government spends approximately $18,000 to arrest and deport every visitor who overstays a visa.
Authorities believe requiring high-risk travellers to post refundable financial guarantees will improve compliance while reducing enforcement costs.
The draft notice also states that the permanent programme is expected to reduce demand for B1 and B2 visa applications from countries covered under the policy.
While Kenyan travellers remain unaffected for now, the government's indication that additional countries may be added means future policy changes could eventually affect Kenyan applicants.
The proposal marks another significant shift in U.S. immigration policy as Washington continues tightening border controls and introducing stricter measures for temporary visitors.
