U.S. rolls out $15,000 Visa Bond requirement for Nigerians
President Donald Trump
The United States government has unveiled a new visa policy which will require Nigerian citizens seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas to post refundable financial bonds of up to $15,000 as part of tightened travel requirements.
Under the updated rules released by the U.S. Department of State, nationals of Nigeria and 37 other countries identified by Washington as having “high-risk” immigration profiles must pay a visa bond set at either $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, before their visa application can proceed.
The exact amount will be determined by a U.S. consular officer during the visa interview process.
The visa bond requirement is scheduled to take effect for Nigerian applicants on 21 January 2026. Applicants will also be required to submit a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-352 and agree to the bond terms through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s online payment system.
Officials stressed that paying the bond does not guarantee visa issuance, and fees paid without explicit instruction from a consular officer will not be refunded.
The bond is intended as a financial guarantee that travellers will comply with U.S. immigration rules, including departing the country before their authorised stay expires.
If visa holders leave the United States on or before their authorised date of departure, the bond will be refunded.
It will also be returned if the applicant does not travel before the visa expires or is denied entry at a U.S. port of entry. However, overstaying a visa could lead to forfeiture of the bond.
The new policy forms part of a broader effort by the U.S. government to address immigration compliance, particularly among visitors from countries with higher rates of visa overstays or document security concerns.
Nigeria is among 24 African nations included on the list of affected countries.
Nigerian travellers who post the required bond and are granted visas will also be restricted to entering the United States through selected airports, including John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York), Boston Logan International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport (Virginia).
