Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – Gambian citizens seeking to travel to the United States on B1/B2 visitor visas will soon be required to post a visa bond of up to $15,000 as a condition for visa issuance, the U.S. Department of State has announced. The new rule takes effect on October 11, 2025.
The Gambia is among three countries—along with Malawi and Zambia—whose nationals will be subject to this measure under a pilot program established by the U.S. State Department.
The program is authorized under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and reflects concerns over high visa overstay rates, as cited in the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2024 Overstay Report, last updated on July 16, 2025.
Under the policy, Gambians who are otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the exact amount determined during their visa interview.
Applicants must also submit Form I-352, an immigration bond document from the Department of Homeland Security, and pay the bond through the U.S. Treasury’s online payment platform, Pay.gov.
The State Department stressed that a bond payment does not guarantee visa issuance. Applicants are advised to submit Form I-352 and pay the bond only after being directed to do so by a U.S. consular officer. Payments made without such direction will not be refunded.
As part of the program, visa holders who post a bond must enter and exit the U.S. exclusively through three designated ports of entry: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in denied entry or improper recording of departure.
The full bond amount will be automatically returned if visa holders comply with the terms of their stay and the bond conditions. This includes departing the U.S. on or before the authorized date, not traveling before the visa expires, or being denied admission at a port of entry.
However, the Department of Homeland Security will forward cases of potential breaches—such as overstays or unauthorized attempts to change visa status—to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for review, which may lead to forfeiture of the bond.
This marks a major shift for Gambian travelers, who until now have not been subject to such stringent financial conditions when applying for U.S. visitor visas.
