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Starting in January 2026, a new rule will be introduced for citizens of several countries, including Turkmenistan, when applying for a tourist visa to the United States. However, it's important to clarify: this is not a visa fee or a mandatory fee for everyone.
This is a visa deposit—a type of financial guarantee. If the consular officer deems it necessary, applicants may be asked to temporarily deposit between $5,000 and $15,000 to ensure their timely departure from the United States. If the applicant complies with the rules and returns home, the deposit is fully refunded. If they overstay their visa, the deposit is non-refundable.
It's also important to note that a visa deposit does not guarantee a visa and is paid only at the direction of the consular officer. No other payment is permitted. Therefore, $15,000 is not the price of a trip to the United States, but a guarantee of a fair return.
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President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev has presented U.S. President Donald Trump with two traditional wooden ayvans featuring intricate Uzbek woodcarving craft. According to The New York Times, the structures have already arrived in Washington, D.C., and assembly has begun in West Potomac Park, where Trump plans to establish the "National Garden of American Heroes."
U.S. Department of the Interior spokesperson Cathy Martin stated that park visitors will be able to view the ayvans starting this autumn. Uzbekistan's Ambassador to the U.S. Furkat Sidikov shared on X (Twitter) that the gift serves as a symbol of friendship and strategic partnership between the two nations. The report also highlights other notable foreign gifts received by Trump, including a luxury aircraft from Qatar and a pair of cheetahs from Saudi Arabia.
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