US Introduces $15,000 Visa Bond for Nigerians, Others — New Rules Take Effect January 21, 2026
The United States government has rolled out a controversial travel policy that could require Nigerian citizens and nationals of several other countries to post refundable visa bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for B-1/B-2 business and tourism visas.
According to a notice from the U.S. Department of State, this updated measure is part of an expanded visa bond pilot programme targeting nationals of 38 countries — the majority from Africa, Latin America and Asia — which are considered by U.S. authorities to have higher rates of visa overstays or “screening and vetting difficulties.
Nigerian applicants for B-1/B-2 visas (business and tourism) may be asked to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 at the time of their visa interview.
The bond requirement takes effect on January 21, 2026 for Nigerian travellers.
Payments must be made electronically through the U.S. Treasury’s official Pay.gov platform after explicit instruction by a consular officer — payments made without such direction are not refundable.
Posting a bond does not guarantee visa approval and visa decisions remain at the discretion of consular officials.
The policy aims to ensure that visitors comply with the terms of their visas, particularly by departing the United States on or before the authorised date. Bonds are typically refunded if the traveller leaves the country within the permitted period, does not travel before visa expiry, or is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.
In addition to the bond requirement, affected travellers are directed to enter and exit the U.S. through designated airports, including Boston Logan, New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport.
The introduction of this visa bond measure follows a broader tightening of U.S. entry requirements, including partial travel restrictions imposed on Nigeria and other nations late in 2025. Critics of the policy argue it places heavy financial and bureaucratic burdens on applicants, while U.S. officials describe the move as part of efforts to discourage visa overstays and strengthen immigration controls.
