U.S. Imposes Visa Bonds of Up to $15,000 for Nigerian Travelers

The United States has implemented a new policy requiring Nigerian applicants for business and tourism visas (B1/B2) to post a financial bond of up to $15,000. The rule, effective from January 21, 2026, classifies Nigeria among several “high-risk” countries, mostly in Africa, subject to this measure.

According to the State Department notice, eligible applicants from these countries must secure a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 through the U.S. Treasury’s official platform. The bond payment does not guarantee visa issuance, and the fees are non-refundable unless authorized by consular officials.

Bonded visa holders must enter the U.S. through designated major airports, such as JFK in New York or Washington Dulles. The bond will only be refunded upon confirmation by U.S. authorities that the traveler has departed the country, if the visa expires unused, or if entry is denied upon arrival.

This policy follows partial U.S. travel restrictions imposed on Nigeria in late 2025, which cited security concerns related to terrorist groups and high visa overstay rates as justification. Those restrictions already limit access to various visa categories, including student and exchange visitor visas.