DR ‹ › The United States has decided to add Algeria to the list of countries whose citizens may be required to pay a financial bond of up to $15,000 when applying for a U.S. visa. The measure is part of Washington's broader effort to tighten visa conditions and curb cases of overstaying the authorized period of stay. With this decision, Algeria joins 37 other countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, bringing the total number of states subject to the bond requirement to 38. The new procedures for Algerian applicants are expected to come into force on January 21, 2026. The bond policy was initially applied to Malawi and Zambia, before being extended to Zimbabwe, where stricter visa conditions are set to take effect from August 20, 2025. U.S. authorities have previously explained that the countries concerned were selected based on high visa overstay rates, as well as shortcomings in screening and verification procedures, or the existence of citizenship-by-investment programs that do not require residency.
