Washington, D.C., January 7, 2026 – The United States Department of State has expanded its visa bond pilot program, requiring certain Nigerian nationals applying for B1/B2 visitor visas (for business or tourism) to post a refundable bond of up to $15,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The policy, effective for Nigerians starting January 21, 2026, applies regardless of where the application is submitted and is part of a broader expansion affecting nationals from 38 countries, primarily in Africa.
According to the official State Department notice, "any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000." The exact amount is determined by the consular officer during the visa interview, based on individual circumstances.
Applicants selected for the bond requirement must complete additional steps, including submitting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) and agreeing to the bond terms via the U.S. Department of the Treasury's online payment platform, Pay.gov. The State Department has emphasized that "a bond does not guarantee visa issuance" and warned applicants against making payments without explicit direction from a consular officer, noting that unauthorized fees will not be refunded.
The bond serves as a financial guarantee to ensure compliance with visa terms, particularly departure from the U.S. before authorization expires. It will be automatically canceled and refunded if the visa holder departs on time (as confirmed by DHS), never travels to the U.S. before the visa expires, or is refused entry at the port of entry. Refunds are processed through the original payment method.
In addition to the bond, visa holders subject to this requirement must enter (and potentially exit) the United States through designated airports, including Boston Logan International (BOS), New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK), and Washington Dulles International (IAD), among others specified by DHS. This facilitates enhanced monitoring of compliance.
The visa bond pilot program, initially established through a temporary final rule in August 2025, targets countries with high B1/B2 visa overstay rates or other screening and vetting challenges, as identified in DHS annual Entry/Exit Overstay Reports. For Nigeria, contributing factors include a reported B1/B2 overstay rate and broader national security concerns, such as the presence of terrorist groups like Boko Haram and ISIS affiliates, which complicate identity verification and background checks.
Nigeria joins a list of 38 countries now subject to the expanded program, with many in sub-Saharan Africa. The Trump administration has nearly tripled the original list, adding nations based on updated overstay data and security assessments. Earlier phases of the pilot applied to fewer countries, but the expansion reflects ongoing efforts to reduce visa overstays and enhance border security.
Nigerian applicants and travel industry stakeholders have expressed concerns over the policy's potential to deter legitimate tourism, business travel, and family visits. Critics argue it disproportionately affects developing nations and could strain diplomatic relations. Supporters, including some U.S. lawmakers, view it as a necessary tool to enforce immigration laws without blanket bans.
The policy builds on previous travel restrictions affecting Nigeria, including partial suspensions under prior proclamations citing similar security and overstay issues. However, the bond mechanism allows eligible applicants to proceed while providing a deterrent against overstaying.
U.S. embassies and consulates in Nigeria have begun informing applicants through their websites and interview scheduling systems. The Abuja Embassy and Lagos Consulate General are preparing for increased inquiries, with advisories urging applicants to review the official State Department page for details.
Immigration experts note that while the bond is refundable, the upfront financial burden—equivalent to millions of naira—may exclude many middle- and lower-income applicants. Payment must be made online via Pay.gov, requiring access to international banking methods.
The pilot program is set for one year initially, with potential extensions or modifications based on outcomes. DHS and State Department officials will monitor overstay rates among bonded visa holders to assess effectiveness.
This development comes amid broader immigration policy shifts under the current administration, including enhanced vetting and restrictions on certain visa categories. Nigerian travelers are advised to consult official U.S. government sources for the latest information and to prepare thoroughly for interviews.
As global travel recovers post-pandemic, policies like this highlight tensions between facilitating legitimate visits and enforcing compliance. Advocacy groups have called for transparency in bond amount determinations and appeals processes.
The Nigerian government has yet to issue an official response, but foreign affairs observers anticipate diplomatic engagements to address concerns.
Applicants affected by the new rules are encouraged to apply early and ensure strong ties to Nigeria, such as employment, property, or family, to demonstrate intent to return.
