The United States has unveiled a new visa bond requirement that could affect Nigerian travellers and citizens from 37 other countries applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas. Under this measure, consular officers may require bonds of up to $15,000 as a guarantee that applicants will return home after their authorized stay.

Scheduled to take effect for Nigeria on January 21, 2026, the policy is part of broader U.S. efforts to curb visa overstays, particularly for nationals from countries flagged for higher risks of non-compliance. Authorities have emphasised that submitting a bond does not guarantee visa approval, and any payments made without explicit instruction from a consular officer will not be refunded.

The new regulation targets a total of 38 countries, 24 of which are in Africa, reflecting concerns about security and overstay rates in the region. The measure is intended purely as a financial assurance mechanism and does not replace the standard visa assessment process.

Applicants are reminded that compliance with consular instructions is mandatory: “Payments made without the instruction of a consular officer will not be refunded,” the State Department stated.

Affected nations span several continents, including:

• Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Tanzania, The Gambia, Zambia
• Asia and Oceania: Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu
• Caribbean and Americas: Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, Venezuela
• Central Africa and miscellaneous: Central African Republic, Djibouti, Fiji, Turkmenistan, Mauritania

The State Department stressed that the bond functions solely to ensure adherence to visa conditions and is not a substitute for the standard evaluation or eligibility process for entry into the U.S.

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