US slaps Tanzania with 'visa bond' to address high visa overstay rates

DODOMA, Tanzania 

The Government of Tanzania has confirmed that it is engaging the United States through diplomatic channels following Washington’s decision to impose a visa bond requirement on Tanzanian nationals applying for short-term business and tourist visas.

According to a statement issued by the Government Spokesperson, Gerson Msigwa, the government wishes to assure the public that it will continue discussions with the US government through diplomatic channels to find a solution that is based on equality, respect and the interests of both parties.

"Furthermore, the Tanzanian government emphasizes that its relationship with the United States is built on the foundations of friendship, cooperation and mutual respect for a long time, so this step will not change Tanzania's commitment to developing good relations with that country for the benefit of all parties," Msigwa said.

He also added that citizens are requested to continue to follow the normal visa application procedures.

This follows the announcement by the US Department of State that Tanzanian nationals applying for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas will need to pay a refundable bond of $5,000 to $15,000, effective October 23, 2025.

This new requirement is part of a U.S. visa bond pilot program designed to address high visa overstay rates and encourage other countries to improve their screening processes, with Tanzania being one of the latest countries added to the program.

The Department of State has identified nationals from these following countries as needing visa bonds with implementation dates in parentheses:  

Mali (October 23, 2025), Mauritania (October 23, 2025), Sao Tome and Principe (October 23, 2025), Tanzania (October 23, 2025) and The Gambia (October 11, 2025). Others are Malawi (August 20, 2025) and Zambia (August 20, 2025)

Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of the listed countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post the bond.  

Applicants must agree to the bond terms through the Department of the Treasury’s online platform, Pay.gov, and are directed to submit Form I-352 only after a consular officer instructs them to do so.

The State Department has cautioned against using third-party websites, warning that any fees paid outside official channels are not refundable.

Importantly, the payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance. “If someone pays fees without a consular officer’s direction, they will not get that money back,” the department said.

Visa holders who post a bond are also required to enter and exit the U.S. through three designated airports: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Failure to comply may result in denied entry or unrecorded departures.

The bond is refundable if the visa holder abides by all conditions, including departing the U.S. on or before their authorized stay ends, not traveling before the visa expires, or being denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.

Although its current rollout is new, the visa bond concept dates back to 2020, when the Trump administration first floated it as a deterrent to visa overstays.

At the time, the rule was introduced as a temporary measure but was not fully implemented due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Its revival in 2025 represents a continuation of Washington’s broader strategy of using financial and regulatory tools to manage migration from countries deemed “high-risk.”