The United States has made its visa bond programme permanent, requiring certain travellers from 50 countries, including Nigeria, to pay a refundable bond of up to $20,000 before being issued some categories of US visas.
The US Department of State said the measure applies to applicants seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas who are otherwise eligible but are instructed by a consular officer to provide a bond as a condition for visa issuance.According to a federal notice published online on Friday, 31 July, the policy was initially introduced as a pilot programme and has now been adopted as a permanent measure aimed at improving compliance with US immigration laws.
Travellers who comply with the conditions of their visas and leave the United States within the authorised period will be eligible for a refund of the bond.
The notice stated: “Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers.”
It added that the previous visa bond pilot programme provided enough information for US authorities to determine that the scheme was an effective tool for encouraging compliance among visa holders required to provide financial guarantees.
“Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition of visa issuance,” the department said.
The policy affects nationals from 50 countries, with 30 of the listed countries located in Africa. Nigeria is among the countries included on the list.
The countries and implementation dates listed by the US Department of State include:
Algeria — 21 January 2026
Angola — 21 January 2026
Antigua and Barbuda — 21 January 2026
Bangladesh — 21 January 2026
Benin — 21 January 2026
Bhutan — 1 January 2026
Botswana — 1 January 2026
Burundi — 21 January 2026
Cabo Verde — 21 January 2026
Cambodia — 2 April 2026
Central African Republic — 1 January 2026
Côte d’Ivoire — 21 January 2026
Cuba — 21 January 2026
Djibouti — 21 January 2026
Dominica — 21 January 2026
Ethiopia — 2 April 2026
Fiji — 21 January 2026
Gabon — 21 January 2026
The Gambia — 11 October 2025
Georgia — 2 April 2026
Grenada — 2 April 2026
Guinea — 1 January 2026
Guinea-Bissau — 1 January 2026
Kyrgyz Republic — 21 January 2026
Lesotho — 2 April 2026
Malawi — 20 August 2025
Mauritania — 23 October 2025
Mauritius — 2 April 2026
Mongolia — 2 April 2026
Mozambique — 2 April 2026
Namibia — 1 January 2026
Nepal — 21 January 2026
Nicaragua — 2 April 2026
Nigeria — 21 January 2026
Papua New Guinea — 2 April 2026
São Tomé and Príncipe — 23 October 2025
Senegal — 21 January 2026
Seychelles — 2 April 2026
The US authorities said the bond requirement is intended to promote adherence to visa conditions rather than serve as an additional permanent fee, as eligible travellers who meet the requirements will receive refunds.
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