US Imposes $15,000 Visa Bond Requirement on Nigerians, 37 Other Countries

US Imposes $15,000 Visa Bond Requirement on Nigerians, 37 Other Countries

The United States has introduced new travel restrictions that may require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 visas to post visa bonds of up to $15,000, as part of measures targeting countries classified as high-risk for visa overstays.

According to details published on the US Department of State website, Travel.State.Gov, the bond requirement does not guarantee visa approval, and payments made without the explicit direction of a US consular officer will not be refunded.

Nigeria is among 38 countries affected by the new policy, with African nations accounting for 24 of those listed in the updated directive released by the US State Department on Tuesday. The policy is scheduled to take effect in Nigeria from January 21, 2026.

The visa bond policy applies to applicants who are otherwise eligible for B1/B2 business or tourist visas. The bond—set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000—will be determined during the visa interview and serves as a financial guarantee to ensure compliance with US immigration laws.

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Under the directive, affected applicants must submit Form I-352 from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and complete payment through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform, regardless of where the visa application is filed.

Countries listed alongside Nigeria include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela, among others, with implementation dates ranging between August 2025 and January 2026.

Visa holders who post bonds will also be required to enter the United States through designated airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York), Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.

The bond will only be refunded if the DHS confirms the traveller’s departure on or before the expiration of their authorised stay, if the visa holder does not travel before the visa expires, or if entry is denied at a US port of entry.

This latest development follows partial US travel restrictions on Nigeria, announced on December 16, which placed the country among 15 mostly African nations under visa suspensions. The US government cited security concerns, including the activities of Boko Haram and the Islamic State, as well as visa overstay rates of 5.56% for B1/B2 visas and 11.90% for F, M, and J visas.

As a result, the suspension affects immigrant visas and several non-immigrant categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, tightening travel access for Nigerian applicants.

US Imposes $15,000 Visa Bond Requirement on Nigerians, 37 Other Countries