The United States has extended its visa bond requirement to include Uganda and Burundi, a move that will take effect on January 21, 2026, according to the latest guidance from the US Department of State.
The new rules place both countries alongside Tanzania, which was already required to meet the bond policy.
Under this requirement, applicants for B1 and B2 visas from Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania must post a financial bond ranging from Sh645,000 to Sh1,935,000.
The exact amount will be determined during the visa interview. The bonds act as a financial guarantee to ensure compliance with US immigration rules.
The Department of State said it had “identified nationals from these countries as needing visa bonds,” and provided implementation dates for each affected nation.
Uganda and Burundi will join Tanzania on the same schedule, making three East African countries subject to the policy. Tanzania was previously placed on the list with an implementation date of October 23, 2025.
The policy covers mainly short-term visas, including business and tourist categories. Applicants from the affected countries will now face an additional financial step when applying, as the bond amount is set during the interview, meaning travelers may not know the precise sum in advance.
Beyond East Africa, the visa bond requirement spans multiple continents. In Africa, countries on the list include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Cabo Verde, the Central African Republic, Djibouti, Gabon, Guinea, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Implementation dates vary from August 2025 to January 2026.
Some countries were included earlier. For instance, Malawi was set to comply starting August 20, 2025, and The Gambia from October 11, 2025. Others, such as Mauritania and Sao Tome and Principe, were scheduled for October 23, 2025.
The updated list also features nations outside Africa, including Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cuba, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Venezuela, highlighting the wide application of the policy.
The Department of State noted that “countries subject to visa bonds” were identified based on internal criteria, though it did not explain the specific reasons for including each country.
As the new rules take effect, travelers from Uganda, Burundi, and Tanzania will need to prepare for these additional requirements, which will become a key part of the US visa application process. The Department of State confirmed on January 6, 2026, that the visa bond policy will continue to expand to other countries according to scheduled timelines.
