Dubai: The US is expanding visa restrictions to cover 50 countries, adding 12 more to its existing list as part of efforts to curb overstays and strengthen immigration controls, the State Department said.
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In a post on social media platform X, the department said: “The United States is expanding visa restrictions to 12 more countries, bringing the total to 50 countries, to address high rates of visa overstays and protect the integrity of our immigration system.”
The State Department is keeping America’s borders secure and preventing visa overstays.
Citizens from 50 countries will soon be required to provide a $15,000 bond for business and tourist visas – returned to those who comply with their visa conditions and return home on time. pic.twitter.com/SewS69b0Pb
— State Department (@StateDept) March 18, 2026
The move marks a significant expansion of US visa enforcement measures, with officials focusing on countries where survival rates have risen.
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$15k deposit
The expansion builds on an existing visa voucher program that requires travelers from certain countries to make deposits of up to $15,000 to obtain short-term visitor visas, intended to ensure compliance with visa conditions.
Starting April 2, 2026, the measure will apply to Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles and Tunisia.
Countries including Bangladesh and Venezuela have already been added to the bond list in recent monthswith the latest expansion increasing the total number of nations affected.
Visa holds have long been a focus of US immigration policy, with authorities seeking to complement border enforcement measures with stricter entry requirements.
