The United States has rolled out a fresh set of travel restrictions that may require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 business and tourism visas to pay refundable visa bonds of up to $15,000.
Details released by the U.S. Department of State indicate that the bond serves as a financial assurance to encourage travellers to comply with the terms of their visas. However, payment of the bond does not automatically guarantee visa approval, and any money paid without formal instruction from a U.S. consular officer will not be refunded.
Nigeria is listed among 38 affected countries, most of which are in Africa, with the new policy scheduled to come into effect for Nigerian applicants on January 21, 2026.
Applicants who qualify for a B1/B2 visa may be directed to pay bonds valued at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the exact amount to be determined during the visa interview process.
Those affected will also be required to complete the Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and formally consent to the bond conditions through the U.S. Treasury Pay.gov platform, and the requirement applies irrespective of the country where the visa application is filed.
According to the guidelines, travellers who have posted the bond must enter the United States through designated airports such as John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
The bond will only be refunded if the traveller leaves the United States on or before the approved period of stay expires, if the visa expires without any travel taking place, or if entry is refused at a U.S. port of entry. Any failure to comply with these conditions may result in forfeiture of the bond.
The introduction of the bond scheme follows other recent U.S. visa-related restrictions affecting Nigerians, including a partial suspension of visa issuance that commenced in early January 2026. U.S. officials have attributed the measures to security-related considerations, challenges associated with screening and verification in some parts of Nigeria, and visa overstay statistics, which have placed Nigeria and several other countries on an extended list subject to tighter visa controls.
