United States visa bond to be effective on January 21

Fiji and Tuvalu will be added to a United States visa bond pilot programme from tomorrow, January 21, 2026, the US Department of State has announced.

Under the programme, some travellers from the two Pacific countries applying for a US business or tourist visa will be required to post a financial bond before the visa is issued.

Tuvalu and Fiji join 35 other countries including Bangladesh, Nepal, Cuba whose citizens travelling to the United States will also be imposed bonds.

The requirement applies to applicants who are otherwise found eligible for a B1/B2 visa, which covers short-term business and tourism travel.

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

The State Department said the bond would be returned if the traveller complies with all visa conditions and departs the United States before the authorised period of stay expires.

The visa bond programme is aimed at encouraging compliance with US immigration rules and reducing visa overstays.

More information here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html