The United States has introduced a new visa policy that may require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000.
Details published by the U.S. Department of State indicate that the visa bond serves as a financial guarantee to ensure compliance with visa conditions, including departure from the United States before the authorised stay expires. The bond does not guarantee visa approval, and any payment made without the direct instruction of a consular officer will not be refunded.
Under the new directive, Nigeria is among 38 countries affected, with 24 of them located in Africa. The policy targets nationals of countries classified by U.S. authorities as high-risk in terms of visa overstays and screening challenges.
For Nigerian applicants, the visa bond requirement is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026. Eligible B1/B2 visa applicants may be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the specific amount to be determined during the visa interview.
Applicants required to post the bond must complete the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and make payment through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform, regardless of where the visa application is submitted.
The policy also mandates that visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through designated airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
Refunds of the visa bond will only be made if U.S. authorities confirm that the visa holder departed the country on or before the expiration of their authorised stay, if the visa expires without travel, or if the traveller is denied entry at a U.S. port of entry.
Other countries affected by the directive include Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Malawi, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and several others, with implementation dates ranging from August 2025 to January 2026.
The development follows recent partial travel restrictions imposed by the United States on Nigeria and 14 other mostly African countries. U.S. authorities cited concerns related to security challenges, activities of extremist groups, and high visa overstay rates.
According to U.S. officials, Nigeria recorded visa overstay rates of 5.56 per cent for B1/B2 visas and 11.90 per cent for student and exchange visitor visa categories. These factors were cited as justification for extending restrictions to both immigrant and non-immigrant visa classes.
The new measures are part of broader efforts by the U.S. government to strengthen immigration compliance and border security.
Post comments (0)