January 9, 2026
Bond Voyage, tourists!
U.S. mandates more foreign travelers to pay $15,000 visa bond deposits
$15k “pay-to-visit” US bond sparks outrage, jokes, and confusion
TLDR: The U.S. now requires a $15,000 visa bond from visitors in 13 mostly African countries, exempting Visa Waiver nations. Commenters blasted it as unfair, confusing, and ineffective—one likened it to a “coyote cut,” another said it’s a huge deterrent to visiting, while others debated why countries like Bhutan are included.
The U.S. just slapped a $15,000 visa bond on visitors from 13 countries—mostly in Africa—and the internet is treating it like a reality show cliffhanger. The official line: people from countries in the Visa Waiver Program (that’s the club that can enter without a visa) are exempt. But commenters quickly dug into the fine print. User e40 dropped a gift link and pointed out that South Africa isn’t exempt because no African country is in that program, citing Wikipedia. Cue the “paywall, but for people” memes.
The mood split fast. One European, epolanski, says they already feel pushed away—sharing stories of friends held for hours and forced to unlock devices, calling the vibe “brutal.” Meanwhile, the dark humor brigade arrived: mothballed joked the fee is basically Uncle Sam taking the “coyote cut,” suggesting it won’t stop illegal immigration, just formalize it. Then there’s pure confusion: joecool1029 asked, “Why Bhutan of all places?” as people tried to guess the mysterious list of 13.
Strongest takes? It’s unfair, targeted, and likely ineffective. Drama? A clash between border hardliners and travelers tired of feeling unwelcome. Jokes? “Bond Voyage,” “cover charge for America,” and lots of grim chuckles about turning tourism into a refundable hostage fee.
Key Points
- •The U.S. now requires a $15,000 visa bond deposit for certain foreign visitors.
- •The requirement applies to travelers from 13 countries.
- •Most of the affected countries are in Africa.
- •Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries are exempt from the bond.
- •The article describes an expansion of bond requirements to more foreign travelers.