The United States has announced new visa restrictions that could require Nigerian applicants for B1/B2 business and tourist visas to post a bond of up to $15,000, as part of expanded efforts to reduce visa overstays.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the new policy affects nationals of 38 countries, including Nigeria, and is designed to apply additional safeguards to visa applicants considered to present a higher risk of overstaying their authorised period of stay. Of the countries listed, 24 are in Africa.
Under the new framework, the bond requirement applies only to applicants who are otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa but are assessed by consular officers as needing extra assurances of compliance with U.S. immigration rules. The bond amount may range up to $15,000, depending on the individual assessment.
For Nigerian applicants, the policy is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026.
The State Department clarified that the visa bond does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. It also warned that any payments made without the explicit instruction of a U.S. consular officer will not be refunded. The bond is expected to be returned only if the visa holder complies fully with the terms of the visa, including departing the United States before the authorised stay expires.
The move has sparked concern among potential travellers, businesses and tourism stakeholders, particularly in countries where travel to the United States is frequent for short-term business, conferences, family visits and tourism.
Countries Affected from January 21, 2026
The countries where the visa bond requirement will take effect from January 21, 2026 include:
Algeria
Angola
Antigua and Barbuda
Bangladesh
Benin
Burundi
Cabo Verde
Côte d’Ivoire
Cuba
Djibouti
Dominica
Fiji
Gabon
Kyrgyzstan
Nepal
Nigeria
Senegal
Tajikistan
Togo
Tonga
Tuvalu
Uganda
Vanuatu
Venezuela
Zimbabwe
Turkmenistan
Countries Affected from October 23, 2025
Mauritania
São Tomé and Príncipe
Tanzania
Countries Affected from October 11, 2025
The Gambia
Countries Affected from August 20, 2025
Malawi
Zambia
Additional Countries Listed Under the Policy
Bhutan
Botswana
Central African Republic
Guinea
Guinea-Bissau
Namibia
U.S. officials say the policy is part of a broader review of immigration controls and is intended to strengthen compliance with visa conditions, rather than serve as a blanket restriction on travel. The Department of State stressed that visa decisions will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis.
In Nigeria, the announcement has generated debate among travel consultants and prospective applicants, many of whom worry that the bond requirement could make short-term travel to the U.S. significantly more expensive and inaccessible for ordinary citizens.
Despite these concerns, U.S. authorities maintain that the measure is necessary to address persistent overstay rates and to protect the integrity of the visa system, while still allowing legitimate travel for business and tourism purposes.
