US expands visa-bond scheme to 50 countries—What it means for UAE residents

From 2 April the US visa-bond requirement covers 50 countries, many with large expatriate communities in the UAE. Eligible B-1/B-2 applicants must post up to US $15,000, creating significant cash-flow issues for multinationals moving staff from Bangladesh, Nigeria, Nepal and Ethiopia. HR teams need to update cost projections and brief travellers on entry/exit restrictions tied to the bond.