Effective January 21, 2026, Ugandan travelers seeking a United States business or tourist visa (B1/B2) will now participate in the US Visa Bond Pilot Program, the US Embassy in Uganda announced on X.
The program introduces a bond requirement aimed at ensuring compliance with visa conditions.
Under the initiative, eligible visa applicants must post a bond before their visa is issued.
The bond serves as a financial guarantee that travelers will adhere to the terms of their visa, including leaving the United States before the expiry of their authorized stay.
Applicants who meet all visa requirements and return home on time will have their bond fully refunded.
The process is straightforward: after the visa interview, a consular officer provides payment instructions via a secure link to pay.gov.
Applicants must settle the bond within 30 days to receive a single-entry visa valid for up to three months.
Entry is restricted to pre-selected US ports, and the bond is automatically canceled once travelers comply with all conditions.
The US Embassy emphasized that the program is a pilot initiative, targeting travelers who are otherwise eligible for B1/B2 visas.
It is part of broader measures to strengthen compliance with US immigration regulations while facilitating legitimate travel.
Travelers are advised to plan carefully and ensure timely payment of the bond to avoid delays.
The Embassy also reminded applicants that engaging in unauthorized work or overstaying their visa could result in forfeiture of the bond and future travel restrictions.
The pilot program reflects ongoing efforts by the US to balance travel accessibility with immigration integrity.
Ugandan businesspeople, tourists, and visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the program’s rules before applying for a US visa.
This marks a significant shift in visa procedures for Uganda, aligning the country with other nations participating in the pilot initiative and emphasizing accountability for travelers.