January 7, 2026 l Dalena Reporters
ABUJA/LAGOS — The United States government has announced a sweeping new travel requirement that will affect Nigerians and citizens of dozens of other countries seeking B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas, mandating that eligible applicants post refundable visa bonds of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa processing. The policy, which takes effect for Nigerians on January 21, 2026, is part of an expanded program aimed at reducing visa overstays and improving compliance with U.S. immigration rules.
Under the updated U.S. Department of State directive, nationals from a growing list of 38 countries predominantly from Africa, Latin America, and Asia may be required to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the specific amount determined during the visa interview process. The refundable bond functions as a financial guarantee that the visitor will comply with the terms and authorised length of stay in the United States.
Applicants must complete Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and make the bond payment exclusively through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov portal. Officials have stressed that paying the bond does not guarantee that a visa will be issued; visa eligibility and approval remain at the discretion of consular officers. Bonds will only be refunded if the visa holder departs the United States on or before the authorised departure date, if the applicant does not travel before the visa expires, or if the traveller is denied admission at a U.S. port of entry.
The directive also stipulates that bond-posting visa holders must enter the United States through one of three designated airports Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, or Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia to ensure proper tracking of arrival and departure records.
Nigeria’s inclusion in the policy follows partial U.S. travel restrictions imposed on the country in mid-December 2025, under which visa categories including immigrant and non-immigrant classifications such as B-1, B-2, F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange) were affected. U.S. authorities cited concerns over security challenges including the presence of extremist groups like Boko Haram and the Islamic State and cited visa overstay rates as part of the justification for tightening travel protocols.
Critics warn that the high bond amounts could make U.S. travel prohibitively expensive for ordinary business travellers, tourists, and professionals from developing countries, potentially dampening cultural exchange and economic opportunities. Advocates of the policy, however, maintain that it is a targeted measure to ensure compliance with visa terms and reduce cases of unlawful extension of stays.
Nigerians planning to apply for visitor visas are now urged to prepare for the new bond requirements and to consult official U.S. State Department guidance ahead of travel and embassy or consulate interviews.