The number of countries requiring a “visa deposit” of up to 20 million won (approximately $20,000 USD) when applying for entry to the United States has nearly tripled. While the majority are African, the list also includes countries from Central and South America, including Venezuela, which recently suffered a US military attack, and Asian countries.
The U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published a list of 38 countries subject to the visa deposit on its website on the 6th.This system essentially requires citizens of these countries to post a deposit of $5,000 (approximately $7.25 million), $10,000 (approximately $14.5 million), or $15,000 (approximately $21.74 million USD) when applying for a short-term US visa.
The list of countries subject to the visa ban was originally 13, but on this day alone, 25 countries were added, nearly doubling the number. In addition to Venezuela, Cuba, a frequent US ally, was added, along with African countries like Nigeria, Algeria, and Uganda, and Asian countries like Nepal and Bangladesh.
A visa deposit system for the 25 countries added to the list will go into effect on the 21st. Paying the deposit does not guarantee a visa, and even if a visa is granted, entry and exit is limited to three international airports: Boston Logan, New York JFK, and Washington Dulles.
The Associated Press noted that this system has made the process of obtaining a US visa prohibitively expensive for many citizens of these countries. Therefore, this is interpreted as the latest measure by the Trump administration to further increase barriers to entry into the US.
Since Trump’s second term, the US government has required in-person interviews and required years of social media records from all countries requiring visas. In addition, the US government recently mandated that foreign tourists using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) submit five years’ worth of social media records and various other personal information.
The US government describes the visa deposit system as a mechanism to ensure that visitors do not overstay their visas. The deposit is refunded to visitors whose visas are denied or who comply with the conditions of the issued visa.