U.S. will make visa bond program permanent, affecting mostly African countries

The U.S. State Department will make permanent a visa bond program requiring financial deposits from citizens of dozens of countries, predominantly in Africa, before they can enter the United States. The program, previously temporary, mandates that visa applicants from designated nations post bonds—typically ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars—to secure entry. Officials say the measure aims to reduce visa overstays, though critics argue it creates barriers for lower-income applicants and disproportionately affects developing nations.