02/08/2026
The US has made permanent a visa bond programme that could require some travellers from 50 countries, including 30 in Africa, to pay up to $20,000 before receiving a US business or tourist visa. The money is refunded if the visitor leaves the US before their visa expires and obeys all visa rules. It is forfeited if they overstay or violate the terms of their visa. African countries on the list include Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe
