Nigerians and travellers from 37 other countries applying for United States B1/B2 visas may now be required to post non-refundable visa bonds of up to $15,000, following a new directive by the US Department of State.
The visa bond policy applies to applicants seeking business (B1) or tourism (B2) visas from countries classified by the US as high-risk. Visa bonds serve as financial guarantees and do not ensure automatic visa approval.
The development further tightens US entry conditions, coming barely a week after Nigeria was placed under partial US travel restrictions.
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According to information published on the US Department of State’s official website, any bond paid without the explicit direction of a consular officer will not be refunded and does not guarantee visa issuance.
Out of the 38 affected countries, 24 are African, including Nigeria. The State Department said nationals from the listed countries have been identified as requiring visa bonds, with implementation dates varying by country.
Countries affected include Algeria (21 January 2026), Angola (21 January 2026), Antigua and Barbuda (21 January 2026), Bangladesh (21 January 2026), Benin (21 January 2026), Bhutan (1 January 2026), Botswana (1 January 2026), Burundi (21 January 2026), Cabo Verde (21 January 2026), Central African Republic (1 January 2026), Côte d’Ivoire (21 January 2026), Cuba (21 January 2026), Djibouti (21 January 2026), Dominica (21 January 2026), Fiji (21 January 2026), Gabon (21 January 2026), The Gambia (11 October 2025), Guinea (1 January 2026), Guinea-Bissau (1 January 2026), Kyrgyzstan (21 January 2026), Malawi (20 August 2025), Mauritania (23 October 2025), Namibia (1 January 2026), Nepal (21 January 2026), Nigeria (21 January 2026), São Tomé and Príncipe (23 October 2025), Senegal (21 January 2026), Tajikistan (21 January 2026), Tanzania (23 October 2025), Togo (21 January 2026), Tonga (21 January 2026), Turkmenistan (1 January 2026), Tuvalu (21 January 2026), Uganda (21 January 2026), Vanuatu (21 January 2026), Venezuela (21 January 2026), Zambia (20 August 2025), and Zimbabwe (21 January 2026).
In Nigeria’s case, the US cited the presence of radical Islamist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State, in parts of the country, resulting in what it described as “substantial screening and vetting difficulties.”
The US also referenced Nigeria’s visa overstay rates — 5.56 per cent for B1/B2 visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M, and J visas — as justification for the decision. Consequently, the travel suspension covers both immigrant visas and non-immigrant categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas.
Under the directive, eligible applicants from the listed countries must post a $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 bond, with the amount determined during the visa interview.
Applicants are also required to submit Form I-352 issued by the US Department of Homeland Security and complete payment through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform. The requirement applies regardless of where the visa application is submitted.
Nigeria was among 15 mostly African countries placed under partial US travel suspensions on 16 December, alongside Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, The Gambia, and others.
Visa holders who post bonds must enter the US through designated airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport, Virginia.
The bond will only be refunded if the Department of Homeland Security records the traveller’s departure on or before the authorised stay expires, if the applicant does not travel before visa expiration, or if entry is denied at a US port of entry.
