US Introduces $20,000 Visa Bond for Nigerians, Others Amid Overstay Concerns
The United States has introduced a new visa bond policy requiring some Nigerian and other African applicants seeking business and tourist visas to deposit up to $20,000 as a condition for entry, in a move aimed at reducing visa overstays.
The policy, which takes effect on Monday, August 3, formalises the Visa Bond Programme first introduced on a pilot basis in August 2025. Under the new rule, consular officers may require eligible applicants for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas to post refundable bonds of $10,000, $15,000 or $20,000, depending on their individual circumstances.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the bond is intended to encourage compliance with visa conditions and discourage visitors from overstaying their authorised period in the country.
Applicants who comply with the terms of their visas will have the bond refunded after departing the United States as required.
The revised policy removes the previous minimum bond option of $5,000 and raises the maximum amount to $20,000. It will initially apply to nationals of 50 countries, the majority of them in Africa, including Nigeria. The maximum bond amount will also be subject to periodic inflation adjustments beginning in October 2027.
While U.S. authorities say the programme recorded a significant reduction in visa overstays during its pilot phase, critics argue that the policy could discourage legitimate travel, impose a heavy financial burden on applicants, and disproportionately affect citizens of developing Countries.