The United States has introduced a new visa bond requirement of up to $15,000 for Nigerians applying for B1/B2 (business and tourist) visas, as part of tighter immigration controls.
According to details published on the U.S. Department of State website, Travel.State.Gov, the bond is a financial guarantee to ensure visa holders comply with the terms of their stay and leave the U.S. on time. The State Department stressed that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval, and any payment made without a consular officer’s instruction will not be refunded.
Nigeria is among 38 countries affected, with 24 of them in Africa. For Nigerians, the policy will take effect on January 21, 2026.
Under the directive, eligible applicants may be required to post $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the amount determined during the visa interview. Applicants must also submit Form I-352 and complete payment via the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform.
The U.S. government said the bond applies to nationals of countries classified as high-risk, citing concerns over visa overstays and security screening challenges. Nigeria’s overstay rates were listed at 5.56% for B1/B2 visas and 11.90% for F, M, and J visas.
Visa holders subject to the bond must enter the U.S. through designated airports, including JFK (New York), Boston Logan, and Washington Dulles. Refunds will only be issued if U.S. authorities confirm timely departure, visa expiration without travel, or denial of entry at the port of arrival.
The move comes shortly after the U.S. imposed partial travel restrictions on Nigeria and 14 other countries, citing security concerns linked to extremist activities and vetting limitations.
