Nigerians and travellers from several other countries seeking United States B1/B2 business or tourist visas may now be required to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000, following a new directive by the US Department of State.
The visa bond, described as a financial guarantee, will apply to applicants from countries designated as high-risk. It is meant to ensure compliance with US immigration rules and does not guarantee visa approval. Fees paid without a consular officer’s instruction are non-refundable.
The policy, published on the US Department of State’s Travel.State.Gov website, further tightens entry conditions and comes barely a week after the US announced partial travel restrictions on Nigeria and other nations.
Out of 38 countries listed under the new measure, 24 are African, including Nigeria. Implementation dates vary by country, with Nigeria’s bond requirement scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026.
Other affected countries include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, The Gambia, Guinea, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, among others.
Explaining Nigeria’s inclusion, US authorities cited security concerns linked to the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Islamic State, which they said create “substantial screening and vetting difficulties.” The US also pointed to Nigeria’s visa overstay rates—5.56 per cent for B1/B2 visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M, and J visas.
Under the directive, eligible applicants from the listed countries must post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, as determined during their visa interview. Applicants are also required to submit Form I-352 and make payments through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform, regardless of where the visa application is filed.
Visa holders who post bonds must enter the US through designated airports, including JFK in New York, Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport.
Refunds will only be issued if the traveller leaves the US on or before their authorised stay expires, does not travel before the visa expires, or is denied entry at a US port of entry.
Nigeria is among 15 countries—mostly in Africa—placed under partial US travel suspension on December 16, alongside Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, and The Gambia.
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