The United States has permanently adopted its visa bond program, requiring travelers from 50 countries—including 30 in Africa—to pay refundable bonds of up to $20,000 when applying for tourist and business visas. Introduced as a pilot program a year ago, the policy aims to reduce visa overstays, with the State Department claiming overstays from affected countries have fallen by 83%. The program affects applicants from countries including Nigeria, Ethiopia, Senegal, and Zambia. Critics argue the higher financial requirements create significant barriers for legitimate travelers and further strain US-Africa relations. The move comes alongside reduced visa-processing services, the withdrawal of American diplomats from several African countries, and broader immigration policies that analysts say could undermine Washington’s efforts to strengthen partnerships across the continent.
Semafor