US imposes $15,000 visa bond on Nigerians, other nationals
The United States government has introduced a new visa bond policy that may require Nigerians and citizens of several other countries applying for B1/B2 (business and tourist) visas to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000.
Under the new directive issued by the US Department of State, consular officers may mandate eligible applicants to pay visa bonds of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, depending on individual assessments during visa interviews. The policy is aimed at ensuring compliance with visa conditions, particularly to curb visa overstays.
Nigeria is among 38 countries affected by the measure, with the majority coming from Africa. The policy is scheduled to take effect for Nigerian applicants on January 21, 2026.
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US authorities clarified that payment of the bond does not guarantee visa approval, and any payment made without a formal request from a consular officer will not be refunded. Applicants required to post the bond must complete Form I-352 and make payment through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform.
The bond is refundable if the visa holder complies with all visa conditions, exits the United States on time, or if entry into the country is denied by immigration officials at the port of entry.
The new requirement follows recent tightening of US immigration policies affecting Nigeria and other countries, citing concerns over high visa overstay rates and security considerations.
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The move has raised concerns among prospective travelers, as critics argue that the high bond amount could place US visas beyond the reach of many applicants, despite assurances from US officials that the measure is necessary to strengthen immigration compliance.
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