Nigerian applicants seeking United States business and tourist visas may now be required to pay a refundable visa bond of up to $15,000 under the US government’s ongoing visa bond programme aimed at strengthening compliance with immigration laws.
The policy, administered by the US Department of State, applies to selected applicants seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas and covers nationals of 50 countries, including Nigeria.
According to the State Department, consular officers have the discretion to require a visa applicant who is otherwise eligible for a visa to provide a security bond before the visa is issued. The bond amount may be set at $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, depending on the applicant’s circumstances and the assessment of the consular officer.
The programme is designed to encourage foreign visitors to comply with US immigration regulations by ensuring they leave the country before the expiration of their authorised stay.
Nigeria Among 50 Countries Covered
Nigeria is one of the countries whose citizens may be selected for the visa bond requirement. The affected countries and the dates they were designated include:
- Algeria – January 21, 2026
- Angola – January 21, 2026
- Antigua and Barbuda – January 21, 2026
- Bangladesh – January 21, 2026
- Benin – January 21, 2026
- Bhutan – January 1, 2026
- Botswana – January 1, 2026
- Burundi – January 21, 2026
- Cabo Verde – January 21, 2026
- Cambodia – April 2, 2026
- Central African Republic – January 1, 2026
- Côte d’Ivoire – January 21, 2026
- Cuba – January 21, 2026
- Djibouti – January 21, 2026
- Dominica – January 21, 2026
- Ethiopia – April 2, 2026
- Fiji – January 21, 2026
- Gabon – January 21, 2026
- The Gambia – October 11, 2025
- Georgia – April 2, 2026
- Grenada – April 2, 2026
- Guinea – January 1, 2026
- Guinea-Bissau – January 1, 2026
- Kyrgyz Republic – January 21, 2026
- Lesotho – April 2, 2026
- Malawi – August 20, 2025
- Mauritania – October 23, 2025
- Mauritius – April 2, 2026
- Mongolia – April 2, 2026
- Mozambique – April 2, 2026
- Namibia – January 1, 2026
- Nepal – January 21, 2026
- Nicaragua – April 2, 2026
- Nigeria – January 21, 2026
- Papua New Guinea – April 2, 2026
- São Tomé and Príncipe – October 23, 2025
- Senegal – January 21, 2026
- Seychelles – April 2, 2026
- Tajikistan – January 21, 2026
- Tanzania – October 23, 2025
- Togo – January 21, 2026
- Tonga – January 21, 2026
- Tunisia – April 2, 2026
- Turkmenistan – January 1, 2026
- Tuvalu – January 21, 2026
- Uganda – January 21, 2026
- Vanuatu – January 21, 2026
- Venezuela – January 21, 2026
- Zambia – August 20, 2025
- Zimbabwe – January 21, 2026
The requirement applies to eligible applicants irrespective of the country where they submit their visa applications.
Payment Required Only When Directed
The US State Department stressed that applicants should not complete any forms or make any payments unless they are specifically instructed to do so by a consular officer.
Applicants selected for the programme must complete the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-352 and follow official payment instructions.
The bond may be paid either by the applicant or by a third party, including a family member, friend or business associate.
Officials said successful applicants will receive a payment link directing them to the US government’s official Pay.gov platform. The department warned applicants against using unofficial payment channels, stating that the US government would not be responsible for funds paid through unauthorised websites.
Paying The Bond Does Not Guarantee Visa Approval
The State Department emphasized that payment of the visa bond does not automatically guarantee visa approval.
Applicants must still satisfy all eligibility requirements for the visa category they are applying for, and the bond programme operates independently of other US immigration restrictions or visa suspension policies affecting certain countries.
When The Bond Will Be Refunded
According to US authorities, the bond will be cancelled and refunded if the traveller complies fully with the conditions attached to the visa.
Refunds may be granted if the visitor departs the United States before the expiration of the authorised stay, does not use the visa before it expires, or is denied entry at a US port of entry.
However, the bond may be forfeited if the visa holder overstays the approved period, violates immigration rules or breaches any of the conditions attached to the bond.
Entry And Exit Conditions
Travellers placed under the visa bond programme must also comply with any specific travel instructions issued by US authorities, including designated entry and departure arrangements where applicable.
The State Department explained that the programme is implemented under existing US immigration laws and considers factors such as visa overstay rates and other immigration-related assessments when determining which nationalities may be subject to the bond requirement.
The US government maintained that the visa bond system is intended to strengthen compliance with immigration laws while still allowing eligible visitors to travel to the country for tourism and business purposes.
Nigerian applicants seeking B1/B2 visas have therefore been advised to monitor official guidance from the US Department of State and wait for instructions from a consular officer before making any visa bond payment.
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