Citizens from 12 countries wishing to apply for a visa to visit the United States will be required as of April 2 to post bonds of up to $15,000, according to a report in Reuters.

The addition of the 12 countries –  Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia – now brings the total on the list to 50. This means that travelers from 50 nations will be required to pay a refundable bond for a B1 (business) or B2 (tourism) visa.

According to a State Department official who spoke to Reuters on Wednesday, the bonds are returned if travelers comply with visa terms, or decide not to travel.

The expanded measure builds on an earlier list of 38 countries, many in Africa, that were already subject to the requirement.

The measure is part of a broader hard-line immigration agenda pursued by President Donald Trump, including increased deportations, visa revocations, and expanded screening of applicants’ social media and past statements.

Supporters argue the policy strengthens domestic security and enforces immigration rules. Critics, including human rights groups, say it risks limiting access to the United States and undermining due process and free speech protections.

The administration has also introduced other restrictions in recent months, including travel bans affecting multiple countries on national security grounds.