The United States has made permanent a visa bond programme requiring some Tongan travellers to provide a substantial financial guarantee when applying for short-term business or tourist visas.

The US Department of State includes Tonga among 50 countries whose nationals are subject to the visa bond requirement.

The programme applies to applicants for B-1 business and B-2 visitor visas who are otherwise eligible for a visa.

Under the permanent rules, consular officers can require eligible applicants to post a refundable bond of US$10,000, US$15,000 or US$20,000 before a visa is issued.

The permanent programme took effect on 3 August, replacing a 12-month pilot that allowed bonds of between US$5,000 and US$15,000.

The US government says the measure is intended to reduce visa overstays and encourage visitors to comply with the conditions of their admission.

The bond is returned when the traveller meets the relevant requirements, including departing the United States within the authorised period.

Tonga was added to the US visa bond programme on 21 January 2026, alongside several other Pacific countries.

The State Department says the countries were identified using factors including B-1/B-2 overstay rates, shortcomings in screening and vetting information, and, in some cases, citizenship-by-investment arrangements.

For Tongans, the requirement represents a significant additional financial barrier to travel for tourism, business and family visits. Paying the bond also does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.

The US says applicants should only pay a bond after being directed to do so by a consular officer through the official payment system.