• The US expands its visa bond requirement to include 12 new countries.
• Citizens from these countries must pay a bond of up to $15,000 starting April 2.
• The program targets countries with high visa overstay rates.
• 97% of travelers under the bond program return home on time, according to the State Department.

The Trump administration has announced that citizens from 12 additional countries will now be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for US visas, expanding the total to 50 countries. This requirement takes effect on April 2. The newly added nations include Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia, according to Reuters.

The bond is tiered at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on the applicant's circumstances and discretion of the consular officer. It is refundable if the visa is denied or if the recipient adheres to the visa's terms. The State Department argues that this program significantly reduces visa overstays, with nearly 97% of travelers under the bond program returning home as required, according to AA and Los Angeles Times.

This bond program, initially introduced to curb illegal immigration and visa overstays, has been met with criticism for potentially discriminating against low-income travelers. Advocates for immigration reform have raised concerns about its economic implications and fairness. Nonetheless, the Trump administration maintains this move is necessary for enhancing security and managing immigration risks, as highlighted by Al Jazeera and India Times.