The United States has introduced a new rule that may require Nigerians and citizens of some other countries to pay a visa bond of up to $15,000 before travelling to the US.
According to information on the US Department of State website, this rule affects people applying for B1/B2 visas, which are used for business and tourism. The payment of the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be approved, and any money paid without the instruction of a US consular officer will not be refunded.
Out of the 38 countries affected by the new rule, 24 are African countries, including Nigeria. The US State Department released the updated list on Tuesday.
A visa bond is a financial guarantee required from applicants from countries considered high-risk. It is meant to ensure that visa holders follow US immigration rules, especially leaving the country before their permitted stay ends.
For Nigeria, the new rule will take effect on January 21, 2026. Other countries have different implementation dates, ranging from August 2025 to January 2026.
Under the directive, applicants who are approved for a B1/B2 visa must pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The exact amount will be decided during the visa interview. Applicants must also complete Form I-352 from the US Department of Homeland Security and make the payment through Pay.gov, the US Treasury’s online payment platform.
Visa holders who pay the bond must enter the United States through selected airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
The bond will only be refunded if the traveller leaves the US on or before their authorised stay expires, if the person does not travel before the visa expires, or if they are denied entry at a US port of entry.
This move comes shortly after the US placed partial travel restrictions on Nigeria and 14 other mostly African countries on December 16. Countries affected by those earlier restrictions include Angola, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, and others.
