Kampala, Uganda: The United States has expanded its visa bond pilot programme to Uganda, requiring some Ugandan business and tourist travellers to deposit up to $15,000 before being issued visas, as Washington tightens immigration enforcement and seeks to curb visa overstays.
Announcing the policy at a press conference in Kampala on Thursday, William W. Popp, the United States Ambassador to Uganda, said the move is part of broader immigration control measures under the Trump administration, aimed at enforcing U.S. immigration laws while preserving lawful travel.
“The Trump Administration continues to put America and its interests first by fully enforcing U.S. immigration laws and ensuring lawful travel through our visa process,” Popp said. “The United States and Uganda share a strong partnership grounded in mutual respect and people-to-people ties.”
Under the expanded pilot, Ugandans applying for B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visas for business or tourism may be required to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000, which will be returned if travellers comply with visa conditions, including departing the United States within the authorised period.
The bond requirement took effect on January 21 and applies to additional countries identified as presenting higher immigration-risk factors. The U.S. Embassy clarified that the policy is not retroactive and will not affect previously issued visas.
“A nonimmigrant visa is a privilege granted for a specific purpose, not a right,” Popp said. “Remaining longer than authorised, violating the terms of admission, or misusing a nonimmigrant visa can have serious, lasting consequences.”
In a separate development, the U.S. State Department has temporarily paused the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, including Uganda, effective January 21. The suspension will remain in force until enhanced vetting procedures are completed to ensure applicants meet eligibility requirements and will not rely on public assistance in the United States.
The embassy stressed that the pause applies only to immigrant visas and does not affect nonimmigrant categories such as tourists, students, or skilled workers.
U.S. Embassy Consular Chief Tania Romanoff said the policy changes follow continued concerns over visa misuse and overstays by some Ugandan travelers.
“We are still seeing Ugandans misusing their non-immigrant visas to the United States,” Romanoff said. “If an individual misuses their visa, they may be subject to removal and become ineligible for future visas and travel to the United States.”
She added that business and tourist visas for Ugandans are now issued as single-entry visas valid for three months, and travelers must leave the United States before their authorised stay expires or risk deportation and long-term travel bans.
The U.S. Embassy further warned that visa bonds will be forfeited if travelers overstay, violate U.S. laws, or attempt to change their immigration status after entry, including by seeking asylum.
The new measures come as Washington reassesses immigration enforcement across several regions, tightening entry requirements for countries with higher overstay rates while maintaining educational, commercial and family ties with Uganda.
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