As per reports, the US Department of State has announced that its visa bond pilot programme has become a permanent policy, with nationals from 30 African countries among those affected, as of Wednesday (05 August).

• The programme applies to nationals of 50 countries, predominantly in Africa, applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas to the United States.
• The programme currently covers nationals from 30 African countries, namely Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
• The revised regulation increases the maximum refundable visa bond from USD 15,000 to USD 20,000 and removes the previous USD 5,000 minimum bond option. Consular officers may determine the applicable bond amount based on the circumstances of each application.
• Applicants covered under the programme are required to pay the refundable bond before attending a visa interview. The bond is refunded if the visa application is denied or, where a visa is issued, after the traveller complies with the terms and conditions of the visa.
• The US Department of State may expand the programme to additional countries in the future following its review of the pilot initiative.