- The U.S. is making permanent a visa bond program for B1/B2 (business/tourist) applicants from 50 countries—30 of them in Africa—allowing consular officers to require bonds up to $20,000 (effective Aug. 3; the pilot capped at $15,000 and had a $5,000 option that’s now gone).
- Officials say the policy aims to reduce visa overstays and the pilot showed it can improve compliance.
- Critics warn it will deter legitimate travel, raise civil‑rights and racial‑profiling concerns, and fits into broader Trump-era tightening (higher fees, social‑media vetting).
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