The United States Ambassador to Uganda William W. Popp has revealed new Visa measures for Ugandans intending to travel including a pause on issuing immigrant visas and posting of a refundable bond of up to $15,000 (UGX 53 million) before a visa can be issued to any Ugandan intending to travel to the country.
Ambassador Popp who made the revelations while addressing media in Kampala on Thursday, noted that this was aimed at ensuring the highest standards of national security and public safety for citizens through it’s visa process.
“A non-immigrant visa is a privilege granted for a specific purpose, not a right,” Popp said, warning that overstaying or misusing a visa can lead to serious and lasting consequences.
Under the updated policy, most non-immigrant visas issued to Ugandan citizens are now single-entry and valid for three months.
Travelers must enter the United States within that period and may only apply for admission once during the visa’s validity.
In addition, as of January 21, 2026, the U.S. expanded its Visa Bond Pilot Program to include Uganda. Ugandans who qualify for B-1/B-2 business or tourist visas may now be required to post a refundable bond of up to USD 15,000 before the visa is issued.
Embassy officials stressed that the bond is not paid before the visa interview and is only required if a consular officer determines the applicant is eligible for the visa.
According to Ambassador Popp, the bond will be fully refunded if the traveller complies with all visa conditions, including departing the United States on time.
However, it may be forfeited if the traveller overstays, violates U.S. law, remains unlawfully in the country, or attempts to change immigration status, including seeking asylum.
The U.S mission’s Consular Chief Tania Romanoff has at the same presser criticised Ugandans for allegedly misusing their non-immigrant visas to the United States by overstaying in the U.S after the their time of stay elapses in the states.
“If an individual uses a U.S. non-immigrant visa to travel to the United States and misuses their visa, they may be subject to removal and ineligible for visas and future travel to the United States” she said.
Romanoff warned that this could lead to the particular Ugandan who has over stayed to be permanently banned for traveling to the states again.
“When you arrive at the United States port of entry, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will inform you how long you can stay in the U.S., based on the type of your non-immigrant visa. If you remain longer than authorized (overstay), you could be removed from the U.S. (deported) and could face a permanent ban on traveling to the United States in the future” she said.
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