The United States has introduced new visa rules that may require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 (business and tourism) visas to post a bond of up to 15000 dollars.
The bond is a financial guarantee, does not ensure visa approval and will not be refunded if paid without a clear instruction from a consular officer.
According to details on the US State Department’s website, the updated list shows that 24 of the 38 affected countries are in Africa, including Nigeria.
The bond is targeted at nationals from countries the US classifies as high risk for overstaying their permitted time in the country.
For Nigeria, the visa bond requirement will start on January 21 2026.
Eligible B1/B2 applicants from listed countries may be asked to post bonds of 5000, 10000 or 15000 dollars, with the exact sum decided at the visa interview.
Applicants will also have to complete the Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and accept the bond terms via the US Treasury’s online platform Pay.gov.
This process applies regardless of where the visa application is lodged.
Countries on the list include Nigeria, Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Uganda, Tanzania, Senegal, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Venezuela and others, with start dates between August 2025 and January 2026.
The directive also states that travellers who post bonds must enter the US through specified airports such as JFK in New York, Boston Logan and Washington Dulles.
Refunds will only be made if the traveller leaves the US on or before the end of their authorised stay, if the visa expires without any trip, or if entry is refused at the border.
Failure to meet the terms could lead to loss of the bond.
The move follows new US travel limits placed on Nigeria and 14 mostly African countries about a week earlier.
In Nigeria’s case, US officials cited the threat posed by extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State and difficulties with screening and vetting travellers.
The US also referred to Nigeria’s visa overstay rate of 5.56 percent for B1/B2 visas and 11.90 percent for student and exchange visas as part of its justification.
As a result, the tighter rules affect both immigrant and non immigrant categories, including B1, B2, F, M and J visas.
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