The United States government has officially included Nigeria among the countries whose nationals might be required to post a visa bond before obtaining certain nonimmigrant visas, as part of a new pilot program set to start on January 21, 2026.
Recent information published on the U.S. Department of State’s official travel portal indicates that the policy primarily targets B1/B2 business and tourist visa applicants from nations flagged for having high visa overstay rates.
Nigeria has been listed alongside several other countries from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America.
As per the policy, Nigerian applicants who are otherwise qualified for a visa may be instructed by a U.S. consular officer to post a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000, based on the officer’s evaluation during the visa interview.
The bond amount is determined solely by the consular officer and is not subject to negotiation.
U.S. authorities emphasized that posting a bond does not guarantee the issuance of a visa. Applicants must file Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) only after receiving explicit instructions from a consular officer. Payments are to be made exclusively through the U.S. Treasury’s official platform, Pay.gov, and applicants are cautioned against using third-party websites.
Visa Bond Violations
According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a visa bond may be forfeited if a visa holder is found to have violated the bond conditions. Violations encompass, but are not limited to:
Overstaying authorized stay: DHS records indicate the visa holder departed the United States after the authorized stay period.
Failure to depart: The visa holder remained in the United States beyond the approved period and did not exit.
Status change or asylum claim: The visa holder attempts to adjust from nonimmigrant status, including claiming asylum, in contravention of bond conditions.
Failure to comply with entry and exit rules: The visa holder does not enter or exit the United States through the designated ports of entry as required.
Non-compliance with bond terms: The visa holder does not adhere to the conditions outlined in DHS Form I-352.
Improper departure records: Actions by the visa holder lead to departure records not being accurately captured by DHS systems.
In cases where a breach is confirmed, the bond is forfeited without a refund, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) makes the final determination following DHS review.
Ports of Entry Requirement
Visa holders who post a bond must enter and exit the United States via designated ports of entry, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport, and Washington Dulles International Airport. Non-compliance may lead to denied entry or additional compliance violations.
The U.S. government clarified that the visa bond policy is based on Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and is implemented through a Temporary Final Rule establishing the pilot program. The overstay data used to identify participating countries is sourced from the Department of Homeland Security’s Entry and Exit Overstay Report.
The Department of State also noted that the requirement applies irrespective of the location where the visa application is submitted, meaning Nigerian citizens applying from outside Nigeria are still bound by the rule upon its implementation.
This development has raised concerns among Nigerian travelers, students, and business visitors, with analysts warning that the financial burden could further limit mobility.
Official responses from Nigerian authorities are still awaited.
