The United States has introduced new visa restrictions that may require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 (business and tourism) visas to post a bond of up to $15,000.
According to information published on the U.S. Department of State’s website, Travel.State.Gov, the bond is a financial guarantee and does not guarantee visa approval. The State Department also warned that any bond paid without the explicit direction of a consular officer will not be refunded.
The updated list released by the U.S. State Department on Tuesday shows that 24 of the 38 affected countries are in Africa, including Nigeria.
Visa bonds are required for certain foreign nationals from countries classified by the U.S. as high-risk. The bond serves as a guarantee that visa holders will comply with the terms of their stay and depart the United States before their authorised period expires.
Implementation dates vary by country. For Nigeria, the visa bond requirement will take effect on January 21, 2026.
The Department of State explained that nationals of the listed countries who are otherwise eligible for B1/B2 visas will be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the exact amount determined during the visa interview.
Applicants will also be required to submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and agree to the bond terms through the U.S. Treasury’s online payment platform, Pay.gov, regardless of where the visa application is submitted.
Countries affected by the directive include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe with implementation dates ranging between August 2025 and January 2026.
The directive further states that visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through designated airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York), Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport (Virginia).
Refunds will only be issued if the Department of Homeland Security confirms that the visa holder departed the U.S. 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.
The development comes barely a week after the U.S. imposed partial travel restrictions on Nigeria and 14 other mostly African countries. In Nigeria’s case, U.S. authorities cited the activities of extremist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State, which they said pose significant screening and vetting challenges.
The U.S. government also pointed to Nigeria’s visa overstay rates of 5.56 per cent for B1/B2 visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M and J visas as justification. As a result, the restrictions cover both immigrant visas and non-immigrant categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas.
