SUNTV Global Channel – January 7, 2026
In a significant move affecting Nigerian travelers, the United States government has announced that Nigerians applying for B1/B2 business and tourist visas may now be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 (approximately ₦22 million). The announcement, published on the US Department of State’s official website, Travel.State.Gov, comes amid heightened concerns about security and visa compliance.
The directive clearly states that payment of the bond does not guarantee visa issuance, and any fees paid without the explicit instruction of a US consular officer will not be refunded. The bond requirement is part of a broader list of measures affecting nationals from 38 countries globally, with 24 African nations included, highlighting Nigeria’s place among those classified as high-risk.
Visa bonds are essentially financial guarantees imposed by the US government on nationals of countries that face perceived security or immigration risks. Even if an applicant is found eligible for a B1/B2 visa, the bond serves as an assurance that the traveler will comply with the terms of their visa and return to their home country upon the expiration of their authorized stay.
According to the directive, the implementation date for Nigerian applicants is January 21, 2026. Other African countries affected include Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Guinea, Namibia, Senegal, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, among others. Globally, countries such as Bangladesh, Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan, and Venezuela are also included in the list.
The amount of the bond—$5,000, $10,000, or $15,000—will be determined by consular officers during the visa interview. Applicants are required to submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and complete the bond payment through the US Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform, Pay.gov. Importantly, this requirement applies regardless of the applicant’s location or where they apply for the visa.
Furthermore, visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through designated airports. These include Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Refunds for posted bonds will only be made under specific circumstances: when the visa holder departs the United States on or before the authorized stay expires, when the applicant does not travel before the visa expires, or when a traveler is denied admission at a US port of entry.
The move follows recent partial travel restrictions on Nigeria, which were imposed by the US government on December 16, 2025. At the time, Nigeria was listed among 15 primarily African countries placed under partial travel suspensions. The US cited security concerns arising from radical Islamic terrorist groups, including Boko Haram and the Islamic State, which are active in certain parts of Nigeria. The restrictions also referenced visa overstay rates, noting that 5.56% of B1/B2 visa holders and 11.9% of F, M, and J visa holders from Nigeria had overstayed in the US.
These measures affect a broad spectrum of visa categories, covering immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including B-1, B-2, B1/B2, F, M, and J categories. For Nigerians, the introduction of high-value visa bonds represents a significant hurdle for individuals seeking to travel for business, tourism, or study in the United States.
Experts say that the new bond policy may lead to increased scrutiny of visa applicants, longer processing times, and higher travel costs for Nigerians. Travel agencies and consultants are already advising clients to prepare financially and ensure all documentation is in order before scheduling visa interviews.
While the US maintains that the bonds are intended to ensure compliance with visa regulations, critics argue that the measure could discourage legitimate travel and complicate business, educational, and tourism exchanges between the two countries.
SUNTV Global Channel will continue monitoring developments and provide updates on visa requirements, implementation timelines, and potential diplomatic responses from Nigeria.
