The recent expansion of the Visa Bond Pilot Program by the United States of America government with effect from April 2, 2026 has left Basotho living in that country livid.

The program requires passport holders from Lesotho to post bonds ranging from $5,000 (approximately R93,000) to $15,000 (about M279,000) to apply for business or tourist visas to the U.S.

This move is set to affect Basotho working, studying, or visiting the U.S for tourism or business purposes.

The bond amount will be determined during visa interviews, and it is refundable if the visa holder complies with the terms of their stay and leaves the U.S on time.

The U.S government says it aims to reduce visa overstays and ensure compliance with immigration laws. However, critics argue that this policy may disproportionately affect travellers from developing nations.

A Mosotho living in the U.S, Mohato Motloang said the new requirement will be hard for many at different levels as US$15,000 is a lot of money.

Failure to pay this visa bond could prevent Basotho parents from attending their children’s graduation ceremonies in that country, he noted.

He added that the move also has a potential to deny average or middle-class Basotho families from taking vacations in the U.S.

Basotho Americans or U.S citizens of Lesotho descent could also be severely affected due to the financial implications of the visa bond expansion.

“Some families from Lesotho often come here on tourist or visitors’ visas to spend time with their families here or to help their children with newborns. With this new development, it looks like all that is about to end,” Motloang said.

The U.S. Visitor Visas Under Pilot Program began with only two countries (Malawi and Zambia) in August 2025 and added four more countries (The Gambia, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, and Tanzania) in October 2025.

The U.S State Department has now announced an additional 12 countries namely; Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, Tunisia, and Lesotho.  The full list now numbers 50 nations, approximately 25 percent of the 195 countries recognised by the State Department.

The citizens of these countries will be subject to cash bonds of $5,000 to $15,000 when they apply at any U.S. consulate for B-1/B-2 visas. Such visas will be valid for only three months and they are for a single entry to the United States, with a maximum stay of 30 days.

Meanwhile, Basotho in the U.S have written to their senators and representatives in Congress expressing strong opposition to the expansion programme.

In a letter dated 19 March 2026 and titled: Opposition to the Discriminatory $15,000 Visa Bond for Lesotho Nationals, Motloang argued that the new policy creates an insurmountable financial barrier for an average citizen of Lesotho.

“Dear Senator, as your constituent, I’m writing to express my strong opposition to the State Department’s recent expansion of the Visa Bond Pilot Program, which, as of April 2, 2026, will require passport holders from Lesotho to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply for business or tourist visas.

“For many, this bond amount represents several years’ worth of average wages, effectively banning legitimate travel for family visits, business opportunities, and tourism,” he wrote.

While the U.S administration claims this measure prevents overstays, critics and immigration experts argue it disproportionately targets individuals from lower-income and non-Western nations.

Motloang further submitted that the discretionary nature of the bond amount —which can be set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 by a consular officer — lacks transparency and could lead to inconsistent application.

Such policies undermine international partnerships and the values of fairness and accessibility that should define the U.S immigration system, he indicated.

“I urge you to advocate for the immediate suspension of this bond requirement for Lesotho and to support legislative oversight that ensures our visa policies do not become wealth-based exclusions,” Motloang pleaded.

He also noted that he and others have only received preliminary automated responses from their senators in various states in the U.S and hoping for real responses soon.

A Lesotho student in the U.S who spoke on condition of anonymity expressed concern over the new policy, saying it would impact his family’s plans in the future.

“I’m currently not affected by this policy but my fear is that in future it will pose a burden when my family plans to visit and attend my graduation ceremony,” the student said.

Chairperson of Khathang Tema Baitšukuli, Tšolo Lebitsa, slammed the U.S decision.

“The policy is a harsh blow to small businesses and a stark reminder that America is slowly abandoning its principles of fairness and equity,” Lebitsa said.

“By targeting developing nations, they are essentially saying that some lives are worth less than others. It’s a discriminatory move that will hurt innocent people,” he claimed.

However, the Private Sector Foundation of Lesotho (PSFL) Chief Executive, Thabo Qhesi, offers a contrasting view on the potential impact of the policy on Basotho businesses.

Qhesi believes the policy won’t hurt local businesses, pointing out that Lesotho currently trades with the United States through big companies.

He argues that small and medium businesses do not need to travel to the United States to find markets.

“The Americans have already indicated they have over 6,000 product lines which Lesotho can’t satisfy. Basotho businesses owners who need to go to look for market at the United States don’t necessarily need to travel but the standard requirements are accessible online. They fail to go to the US for business opportunities simply because they can’t meet the market requirements,” Qhesi added.

Efforts to establish the number of Basotho likely to be affected by the policy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Relations as well as US Embassy Maseru were unsuccessful by the time of going to print.