The United States Department of State has finalized a permanent Visa Bond Program effective August 3, 2026, establishing a maximum refundable bond requirement of $20,000 for certain international travelers, including Ethiopians applying for short-term business and tourist visas. The requirement, which originated as a pilot program in April 2026, adds a significant financial barrier for Ethiopians seeking B1/B2 visas to visit the United States.
Under the program, Ethiopian applicants must post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 to $20,000 before obtaining a visa. The bond is returned to the traveler if they comply with all visa conditions and depart the United States before their authorized stay expires. However, the requirement applies only to new visa applicants; Ethiopians who held valid B1/B2 visas before April 2, 2026, are exempt. Student visa applicants under F and M visa categories are also excluded from the bond requirement.
The State Department expanded the pilot program in March 2026 to fifty countries, with Ethiopia among twelve nations added at that time. For members of the Ethiopian diaspora seeking to bring family members or business colleagues to the United States, the new permanent program represents an additional cost and barrier beyond standard visa processing and documentation requirements. The $15,000 to $20,000 upfront bond, refundable though it may be, will require substantial resources for many Ethiopian households planning travel to America.
