US to make visa bond requirements permanent, affecting mostly African countries

The State Department made permanent a pilot visa-bond program covering 50 countries (mostly in Africa) that requires refundable bonds for B1/B2 visa applicants.
The maximum bond was raised from $15,000 to $20,000 and the $5,000 low-end option was removed; bonds are refunded if the visa is denied or the holder complies with terms.
Officials say the pilot cut overstays dramatically (pilot saw fewer than 50 vs. ~45,500 previously); critics say it’s an unfair, costly barrier—nearly half of affected applicants opted not to pay and issued visas fell ~83%.