Guinea-Bissau Joins US Visa Bond List From 1 January 2026

Guinea-Bissau is among 50 countries whose nationals must post a visa bond before the United States will issue them a visa, according to an updated list published by the US Department of State. The list is dated 2 October 2026, and the requirement for Guinea-Bissau takes effect on 1 January 2026.

Key facts

• 50 countries are designated, including 30 African nations
• Guinea-Bissau's start date is 1 January 2026
• Nigeria's start date is 21 January 2026
• The list is based on B1/B2 visitor visa overstay rates in the Department of Homeland Security's Entry/Exit Overstay Report
• The programme was established by a Final Rule issued on 3 August 2026

What is changing?

Nationals of the listed countries must post a visa bond before a US visa can be issued to them. The requirement applies to B1/B2 visitor visas, and the countries were selected using overstay rates recorded in the Department of Homeland Security's Entry/Exit Overstay Report.

The programme was formally established by a Final Rule issued on 3 August 2026 under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows a consular officer to require a bond before granting a visa. The source does not state the bond amounts or how a bond is posted.

Who is affected and when?

The list covers 50 countries. Guinea-Bissau's requirement starts on 1 January 2026, the same date as Guinea, Namibia, Turkmenistan, Bhutan, Botswana and the Central African Republic. Nigeria's starts on 21 January 2026, alongside countries including Algeria, Angola, Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Senegal, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Some countries have earlier start dates: Malawi and Zambia from 20 August 2025, The Gambia from 11 October 2025, and Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe and Tanzania from 23 October 2025. A further group, including Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles and Tunisia, starts on 2 April 2026.

Why is this happening?

The US Department of State compiled the list from B1/B2 visitor visa overstay rates documented in the Department of Homeland Security's Entry/Exit Overstay Report. The earlier implementation dates suggest the programme was rolled out in phases before the Final Rule codified it.

What this means for travellers

Nationals of Guinea-Bissau applying for a US visa should expect to be asked to post a bond from 1 January 2026. Applicants from the other listed countries should check the start date that applies to their nationality before beginning the visa process.

The US Department of State publishes the full official list of designated countries and their implementation dates on its website. No further details on bond amounts or refund conditions are given in the source.