The United States has officially added Uganda to a visa bond pilot program that may require certain applicants for short-term business and tourist visas to post refundable bonds of up to USD 15,000, according to a statement from the U.S. Department of State.

The requirement will take effect on January 21, 2026, and applies to Ugandan nationals who are otherwise eligible for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas. Under the program, U.S. consular officers may require eligible applicants to post bonds of USD 5,000, USD 10,000, or USD 15,000, with the amount determined on a case-by-case basis during the visa interview.

The visa bond pilot program is authorised under Section 221(g)(3) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and established through a Temporary Final Rule. U.S. authorities describe it as a one-year pilot designed to assess whether financial guarantees can improve compliance with visa conditions, particularly timely departure from the United States.

Applicants who are instructed to post a bond must submit Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and make payment exclusively through the U.S. government’s Pay.gov platform. The State Department has cautioned applicants against using third-party websites, noting that payments made outside official government systems are not protected. Posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, and fees paid without direct instruction from a consular officer may not be refunded.

As a condition of the bond, visa holders who post a visa bond must enter and exit the United States through designated ports of entry only. These airports are Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in entry denial or problems with properly recording departure.

The bond will be cancelled and refunded automatically if the U.S. government records that the visa holder departs the United States on or before the authorised period of stay, if the visa expires without being used, or if the traveller applies for and is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry. However, cases involving possible violations, including overstaying or remaining in the country beyond the authorised period, may be referred to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review. Certain immigration filings, including attempts to adjust immigration status, may also trigger a bond breach assessment.

The State Department says countries included in the pilot program are identified using B-1/B-2 visa overstay data from the Department of Homeland Security’s Entry/Exit Overstay Report, along with operational and enforcement considerations. While the government has not released specific overstay percentages for individual countries, Uganda is among several African, Asian, Caribbean, and Pacific nations designated under the expanded program, most of which take effect on January 21, 2026.

The policy has generated debate in affected countries, particularly where the bond amounts are significantly higher than average annual incomes. Critics argue that the requirement could limit access to legitimate travel for tourism, business, education, and family visits, while supporters say it may help reduce visa overstays and improve compliance.

U.S. officials maintain that the visa bond requirement is temporary and subject to review at the end of the pilot period. The program’s future will depend on its effectiveness, administrative feasibility, and compliance outcomes. Prospective travelers are advised to consult official U.S. embassy guidance and the U.S. Department of State website for the most up-to-date visa requirements as implementation dates approach.