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

The U.S. State Department announced it will make permanent a visa bond program that requires certain travelers, predominantly from African nations, to post financial security before entering the country. The program, which had operated on a temporary basis, mandates bonds ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on visa category and country of origin. The move affects applicants from countries the government deems higher-risk for visa overstays or immigration violations.