AWC Foreign Affairs Desk
The United States government has announced a major shift in its nonimmigrant visa policy, placing Nigeria and 40 other countries under a new mandatory visa bond requirement, a move that will significantly affect applicants seeking U.S. B1/B2 (business and tourism) visas.
According to an official update published by the U.S. Department of State and last revised on January 6, 2026, nationals of the listed countries—including Nigeria, Senegal, Ghana’s neighbours Benin and Togo, Algeria, Angola, Uganda, Zimbabwe, and Venezuela—will now be required to post a visa bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, effective January 21, 2026. Some countries began implementation earlier, between August and October 2025.
The visa bond policy is being rolled out under Section 221(g)(3) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) as part of a pilot programme aimed at curbing high visa overstay rates. The bond amount will be determined at the discretion of a U.S. consular officer during the visa interview and applies regardless of where the applicant submits the visa application.
Under the new framework, eligible applicants must complete Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) and make payments exclusively through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform after receiving direct instructions from a consular officer. U.S. authorities warned applicants against using third-party websites, stressing that payments made outside official government channels will not be refunded.
Importantly, the State Department emphasized that posting a bond does not guarantee visa approval, and applicants who pay without official direction risk forfeiting their funds.
As part of the bond conditions, affected visa holders must enter and exit the United States only through designated airports, namely:
John F. Kennedy International Airport (New York)
Boston Logan International Airport
Washington Dulles International Airport
Failure to comply with these entry and exit requirements could result in denied entry or improper exit records, potentially leading to forfeiture of the bond.
The bond will be automatically refunded if the visa holder departs the U.S. on or before the authorised stay period, does not travel before visa expiration, or is denied entry at the port of arrival. However, overstaying, failure to depart, or attempts to adjust immigration status, including asylum claims, may trigger a bond breach investigation by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Nigeria’s inclusion on the list has sparked renewed debate over global mobility, migration management and diplomatic engagement, as analysts note that the policy could significantly raise the financial barrier for short-term travel to the United States.
The U.S. government said the programme would be reviewed periodically, stressing that inclusion on the list carries no ranking significance and may be adjusted at its discretion as compliance trends evolve.
