The United States government has rolled out a new visa bond policy that could require citizens of Nigeria and 37 other countries to deposit refundable bonds of up to $15,000 as part of the application process for B-1 (business), and B-2 (tourism), non-immigrant visas.
The bond requirement, set to take effect January 21, 2026 for Nigerian applicants, is part of a broader effort by the U.S. State Department to curb visa overstays and strengthen immigration compliance among visitors from countries classified as “high-risk.”
What the Visa Bond Policy Means
Under the updated policy:
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Nationals of affected countries, including Nigeria, may be asked to post a refundable visa bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as determined by a U.S. consular officer during the visa interview.
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Applicants must complete Form I-352 (Immigration Bond), and pay the bond via the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform.
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Payment of the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. Bonds paid without direction from a consular officer will not be refunded.
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Bonds are refunded if the visa holder departs the United States on or before the authorised stay, if the applicant never uses the visa, or if entry is denied at a U.S. port of entry.
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Travellers who post a bond may be restricted to entering the U.S. through designated airports, such as Boston Logan, JFK in New York, or Washington Dulles in Virginia.
Who Is Affected?
The updated directive covers 38 countries, a majority of which are in Africa, but also includes states in Latin America, Asia, and the Caribbean. The list includes — among others — Algeria, Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh, Nepal, and Venezuela.
Nigeria is one of the key African nations on the roster, alongside more than twenty others from the region.
U.S. Government’s Rationale
U.S. authorities have linked the policy to:
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Visa overstay rates in certain countries; for example, Nigeria’s B1/B2 visa overstay rate was cited in official notices.
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Security and screening concerns, including operational difficulties in parts of countries designated as high-risk.
Officials argue that the bond acts as a financial guarantee to ensure travellers comply with the terms of their visas and return home on time.
Mixed Reactions and Concerns
The policy has drawn attention and debate internationally:
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Supporters contend it may help lower overstay figures and encourage greater compliance with U.S. immigration laws.
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Critics and travel advocates warn the bond could make travel to the U.S. prohibitively expensive for many applicants — especially from countries with lower average incomes — and could further strain diplomatic and people-to-people ties.
Background and Implementation
This visa bond requirement builds on a pilot programme established under Section 221(g)(3) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. Initially applied to a small number of countries, it has now been significantly expanded to include dozens of nations.
For Nigerian travellers and other foreign nationals planning business, tourism, or short-term visits to the United States, the new policy represents a major shift in visa processing expectations beginning later this month.
