The United States will require Ugandan applicants for B1/B2 visitor visas—covering tourism and business travel—to post a refundable visa bond ranging between Shs18 million and Shs54 million, under a new pilot programme aimed at curbing visa overstays.
The US Department of State announced that the requirement will take effect on January 21, 2026, as part of a 12-month visa bond pilot. Under the programme, consular officers may direct otherwise eligible applicants to post a bond of US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000, depending on individual risk assessments conducted during visa interviews.
Applicants instructed to post a bond will receive a payment link through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov system. The Department of State cautions applicants not to pay unless explicitly directed by a consular officer, warning that payments made without instruction are non-refundable. Officials also emphasise that payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance.
As a condition of the bond, successful applicants must enter and exit the United States through designated ports of entry, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. Failure to comply with these travel conditions may affect eligibility for a refund.
The bond will be automatically cancelled and refunded if the visa holder departs the United States on or before the end of their authorised stay, does not travel on the visa, or is denied admission at the port of entry. However, travellers who overstay, apply to change status, or otherwise fail to comply with the terms may have their cases referred by the Department of Homeland Security to US Citizenship and Immigration Services to determine whether the bond has been breached.
Within East Africa, Uganda and Tanzania are the only countries currently affected by the new policy.
The list of countries subject to the visa bond requirement has expanded to include several nations across Asia and Latin America, among them Bangladesh, Nigeria, Senegal, Venezuela and Cuba.
US authorities maintain that the policy is necessary to reduce overstay rates, a key concern in immigration enforcement.
