US adds Tunisia, 11 others to list requiring big visa deposits

The Trump administration's controversial visa bond program has expanded significantly, with Tunisia and eleven other nations added to the requirement list effective April 2, 2025. This expansion brings the total number of countries subject to the policy to 50 globally, marking a substantial shift in US immigration policy that carries meaningful implications for European entrepreneurs and investors operating across African markets. The visa bond program requires visitors from designated countries to post financial deposits—ranging from $1,500 to $15,000—before obtaining US visas. These bonds serve as collateral, theoretically refundable upon the visitor's departure from the United States. The policy targets nations deemed higher-risk for visa overstays or immigration violations, though critics argue the program disproportionately affects developing economies and creates barriers to legitimate business travel. Tunisia's inclusion reflects broader concerns about North African migration patterns, despite the country's relatively stable governance compared to regional peers. The addition of African nations to this expanded list suggests the administration views the continent as presenting elevated immigration risks, a characterization that business communities across the region view as counterproductive to legitimate commerce and investment flows. For European investors and entrepreneurs maintaining operations in African subsidiaries or joint ventures, this development creates several operational complications.