By Ghazali Ibrahim
The United States government has made permanent a visa bond policy that could require some Nigerian applicants seeking business and tourist visas to pay a refundable bond of up to $20,000 before their visas are issued.
The policy, which primarily targets applicants for B1/B2 business and tourist visas, does not automatically apply to all Nigerians. Instead, a US consular officer will determine on a case-by-case basis whether an applicant must post the bond as a condition for visa issuance.
According to the US Department of State, the initiative was first introduced as a pilot programme in 2025 to strengthen compliance with US immigration laws and reduce the rate of visa overstays.
The US government said the pilot programme proved successful, with data indicating that the bond requirement encouraged visitors to comply with visa conditions and depart the country before the expiration of their authorised stay.
Under the policy, applicants who meet all visa conditions and leave the United States within the approved period will receive a full refund of the bond.
However, those who overstay their visas, violate immigration regulations or fail to comply with programme requirements risk forfeiting the money.
Applicants selected for the programme will be required to complete Form I-352 issued by the Department of Homeland Security.
The bond may be paid by the applicant or by a third party, including relatives, friends or business associates.
US authorities stressed that applicants should not make any payment unless specifically instructed by a consular officer, noting that payment of the bond does not guarantee visa approval.
Nigeria is among about 50 countries whose citizens may be subject to the policy. Other affected countries include Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cambodia, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Georgia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyz Republic, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe, among others.
The US government also stated that travellers covered by the programme must enter and depart the country through approved commercial airports or designated preclearance locations.
Authorities added that the bond will also be refunded if a visa holder leaves the United States before the authorised period expires, does not use the visa before it expires, or is denied entry at a US port of entry.
The policy is backed by provisions of the US Immigration and Nationality Act and applies to eligible applicants regardless of the country where they submit their visa application.
