US Unveils New Visa Bond Plan: Nigeria And 49 Other Countries Could Be Affected

Nigerians applying for United States B1/B2 business or tourist visas may be required to pay a refundable visa bond of up to $15,000 under the US Department of State’s ongoing visa bond programme.

The policy applies to selected applicants from 50 countries, with Nigeria included on the list. However, not every applicant will be asked to pay the bond, as the decision rests with a US consular officer.

According to the State Department, consular officers may impose a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 on visa applicants who are otherwise eligible, depending on individual circumstances.

The programme is designed to promote compliance with US immigration laws by encouraging visitors to leave the country before the expiration of their authorised stay.

Nigeria is among the countries whose nationals may be subject to the visa bond requirement. Others include Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Botswana, Cambodia, Cuba, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Georgia, Ghana, Guinea, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nepal, Nicaragua, Senegal, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe and several others.

The requirement applies regardless of the country where an applicant submits a visa application.

Applicants selected for the programme will be instructed by a consular officer to complete the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and make payment through the official Pay.gov platform.

The US government warned applicants not to submit the form or pay any money unless they receive official instructions from a consular officer. It also cautioned against making payments through unofficial websites, stressing that it will not be responsible for funds sent outside approved payment channels.

The State Department clarified that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval. Applicants must still satisfy every other requirement for the visa category they are seeking.

The bond may be refunded if the traveller complies with all visa conditions, including departing the United States before the authorised stay expires. Refunds may also be granted if the visa holder does not travel before the visa expires or is denied entry at a US port of entry.

However, the bond may be forfeited if the traveller violates immigration rules, such as overstaying the approved period or breaching other conditions attached to the visa.

The department added that travellers placed under the programme must also comply with any designated entry and departure arrangements specified by US authorities.

According to the US government, the visa bond initiative is intended to strengthen compliance with immigration laws while allowing eligible visitors to enter the country for business or tourism.

Nigerians planning to apply for B1/B2 visas are advised to consult the latest guidance from the US Department of State and wait for official instructions before making any payment.