January 07, (THEWILL) — The United States government has tightened its visitor visa regime, introducing a new visa bond requirement of between $5,000 and $15,000 for Nigerian travellers and citizens of 37 other countries seeking entry on B1/B2 (business and tourism) visas.
Under the new policy announced by the U.S. Department of State, affected applicants will be required to post a financial bond determined during their visa interview, based on an assessment of individual risk factors.
Nigeria is among several African countries included in the programme, alongside Benin, Togo, Senegal, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Angola and Zambia. Other affected countries span Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America, bringing the total number of countries covered by the policy to 38. Implementation timelines vary, with start dates ranging from August 2025 to January 2026.
Set to take effect from January 21, 2026, for Nigerians, the visa bond policy is part of a pilot programme established under Section 221(g)(3) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, aimed at addressing concerns over visa overstays, particularly among visitors from countries identified as having higher overstay rates.
U.S. authorities clarified that the bond requirement applies regardless of where the visa application is submitted, meaning Nigerian citizens applying for U.S. visas outside the country will also be subject to the rule.
Applicants required to post a bond must complete the Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) and make payments solely through the U.S. Treasury’s official Pay.gov platform. The U.S. government warned against the use of third-party payment platforms, stressing that funds paid outside official channels will not be recognised or refunded.
Officials further emphasised that payment of a visa bond does not guarantee visa issuance, as applications may still be refused after payment has been made.
In addition to the financial requirement, affected visa holders will be restricted to entering and exiting the United States through three designated airports: John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York; Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia; and Boston Logan International Airport in Massachusetts.
The Department of State warned that failure to comply with the designated ports-of-entry requirement could result in denied admission into the United States or an improperly recorded departure, potentially triggering penalties under the bond agreement.
According to U.S. authorities, visa bonds will be automatically cancelled and refunded if travellers depart the United States on or before the expiration of their authorised stay, do not travel before the visa expires, or are denied admission into the country.
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