The United States has tightened its immigration rules by expanding its visa bond policy, requiring travelers from 50 countries—including Nigeria—to pay a deposit of up to $15,000 before being allowed entry.
The policy, announced by the U.S. Department of State, is scheduled to take effect on April 2, 2026, and will apply to applicants seeking B1/B2 visas for business and tourism purposes.
Under the new arrangement, affected travellers must pay a refundable bond, which will only be returned if they comply with visa conditions, including leaving the United States before the expiration of their permitted stay.
The initiative is part of Washington’s effort to tackle visa overstays, a persistent challenge in the country’s immigration system.
Officials indicated that the programme has already shown promising results, with about 97 per cent of participants adhering to their visa terms, an improvement compared to the high number of overstays recorded in previous years.
The latest expansion brings the number of affected countries to 50, following the addition of 12 new nations. Many of the listed countries are in Africa, reflecting what U.S. authorities describe as higher overstay risk categories.
The bond requirement, which ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on individual risk assessments, effectively introduces an additional financial screening layer into the visa application process.
While the deposit is refundable, critics argue that the high upfront cost could place a significant burden on applicants from developing countries, raising concerns about fairness and access to global travel.
However, U.S. officials have defended the policy as cost-effective, noting that deporting an undocumented migrant can exceed $18,000 per case. They argue that the bond system could help reduce enforcement costs and save taxpayers substantial funds.
Nigeria is among the countries currently subject to the policy, placing its citizens within the scope of the tightened visa regime.
