The United States has updated its revised visa bond policy by removing Mali from the list of countries whose citizens are required to post a financial bond before entering the country. The move comes just days after Mali imposed similar visa bond requirements on U.S. travelers in a diplomatic tit-for-tat.
The U.S. Revises Its Visa Bond List
Under the revised visa bond program, Mali was initially included among nations whose citizens must pay up to $15,000 as a temporary visitor bond before receiving a U.S. visa. However, following Mali’s reciprocal decision to impose a $10,000 bond requirement on U.S. travelers, Washington revised its decision.
On October 23, 2025, the Department of State officially dropped Mali from the revised visa bond list, leaving six countries subject to the rule. The program now applies to travelers from Gambia, Malawi, Zambia, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania.
This update reduces the total number of affected nations from seven to six, signaling a recalibration in how the United States manages its visa bond pilot program.
Purpose of the Revised Visa Bond
The revised visa bond requirement is part of a 12-month visa bond pilot program introduced by the U.S. Department of State. It began on August 20, 2025, and is expected to remain active until August 5, 2026.
The initiative targets foreigners applying for temporary business (B-1) or tourism (B-2) visas from countries with high visa overstay rates, or those that offer Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs without residency obligations.
Officials say the policy aims to discourage visa overstays and enhance compliance with U.S. immigration laws. The bond amount, either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, is determined during the visa interview process based on individual risk assessments.
Applicants must also file Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-352, a bond agreement ensuring that travelers depart the U.S. within their authorized stay period.
Current Countries on the Visa Bond List
Following Mali’s removal, the revised visa bond list includes:
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The Gambia: effective from October 11, 2025.
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Malawi: effective from August 20, 2025.
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Zambia: effective from August 20, 2025.
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Mauritania: effective from October 23, 2025.
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São Tomé and Príncipe: effective from October 23, 2025.
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Tanzania: effective from October 23, 2025.
The Department of State clarified that the list could be further revised based on updated immigration data and diplomatic feedback.
Visa Overstay: The Core Issue Behind the Policy
The revised visa bond policy is rooted in concerns about visa overstays. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) defines a visa overstay as a nonimmigrant who enters the United States legally but remains beyond the permitted period.
According to the FY 2024 Overstay Report, countries with the highest overstay rates face closer scrutiny under U.S. immigration programs.
The data reveal that in FY 2023:
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Malawi recorded a B1/B2 visa overstay rate of 14.32% by land and 4.17% by air or sea.
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Zambia exceeded 10% in B1/B2 overstays.
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The Gambia had an exceptionally high 38.79% overstay rate for business and tourist visitors.
By comparison, India’s B1/B2 overstay rate stood at 1.29%, showing how significant disparities exist between countries.
Reciprocity and Diplomatic Tensions
The U.S. decision to remove Mali from the revised visa bond list came after escalating diplomatic friction. Following its inclusion, Mali introduced a reciprocal visa bond policy for U.S. travelers entering the country for business or tourism.
Under Mali’s short-lived measure, U.S. nationals were required to deposit up to $10,000 in visa bonds. The move was widely viewed as a protest against what Malian authorities described as discriminatory visa policies targeting African nations.
After consultations between both governments, Mali’s name was dropped from the list. The U.S. Department of State did not provide a detailed explanation but confirmed that the decision was part of an ongoing review of reciprocal travel practices.
How the Visa Bond Program Works
The revised visa bond pilot program operates under specific guidelines. Travelers from affected nations who qualify for a B1/B2 visa must pay a refundable bond before receiving their visa stamp.
Key operational points include:
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Bond Range: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000.
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Duration: 12 months, tied to the visa validity.
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Refund Conditions: The bond is refunded if the traveler exits the U.S. before their authorized stay expires.
The bond is automatically canceled in the following cases:
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The traveler departs the U.S. on time.
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The traveler never uses the visa before it expires.
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The traveler is denied entry at a U.S. port of entry.
Refunds are processed through the same payment channel used to post the bond.
Designated Ports of Entry for Visa Bond Holders
Holders of B1/B2 visas issued under the revised visa bond scheme must enter and exit the U.S. only through designated ports of entry. These include:
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Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
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John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
According to DHS, restricting entry points allows closer monitoring of compliance and helps streamline refund verification once travelers leave the U.S.
Broader Context and Reactions
The revised visa bond policy has sparked debate across African and Caribbean nations. Critics argue that the measure unfairly targets developing countries while overlooking systemic issues that contribute to visa overstays, such as limited consular resources and long processing times.
On the other hand, U.S. officials maintain that the policy is data-driven and temporary. They emphasize that the pilot phase will be used to assess whether financial bonds can serve as effective deterrents against overstays without discouraging legitimate travel.
Experts in migration law say the revised visa bond policy reflects a growing global trend toward conditional entry mechanisms. Similar models are used in parts of Europe and Asia to ensure compliance with short-term visa conditions.
Long-Term Impact of the Revised Visa Bond
If the revised visa bond program proves effective, it could become a permanent part of U.S. visa policy. The Department of State is expected to review the program’s results after August 2026 to determine whether it should be expanded, adjusted, or discontinued.
Some analysts believe that maintaining diplomatic balance will be critical. They warn that reciprocal actions from affected nations could hurt trade, tourism, and cultural exchange with the United States.
African policy observers note that the U.S. may face increasing pressure from regional blocs like ECOWAS and the African Union, which have previously condemned policies perceived as restrictive toward African travelers.
Looking Ahead
The removal of Mali from the revised visa bond list offers a temporary reprieve in U.S.–Africa travel relations. Yet, the policy’s future remains uncertain.
While U.S. authorities insist that the visa bond is a compliance mechanism rather than a punitive tool, its impact on diplomatic ties and visitor confidence continues to unfold.
For now, six countries remain on the revised visa bond list. Whether others will be added or removed, will depend on how overstay rates evolve and how nations engage in reciprocal negotiations.
