United States has introduced new travel restrictions that could require Nigerians applying for B1/B2 visas to post bonds of up to $15,000.
According to information published on the US Department of State’s website, Travel.State.Gov, the payment of a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, adding that fees paid without the direction of a consular officer would not be refunded.
Of the listed nations, African countries accounted for 24 of the 38, including Nigeria, in the updated list released by the US State Department on Tuesday.
Visa bonds are financial guarantees required by the US State Department for certain foreign nationals from countries classified as high-risk, who are applying for B1/B2 visas for business or tourism purposes.
The implementation dates vary from country to country, with Nigeria’s date set for January 21, 2026.
The Department of State said nationals from the listed countries had been identified as requiring visa bonds, with implementation dates shown in parentheses.
Countries affected include Algeria (21 January 2026); Angola (21 January 2026); Antigua and Barbuda (21 January 2026); Bangladesh (21 January 2026); Benin (21 January 2026); Bhutan (1 January 2026); Botswana (1 January 2026); Burundi (21 January 2026); Cabo Verde (21 January 2026); Central African Republic (1 January 2026); Côte d’Ivoire (21 January 2026); Cuba (21 January 2026); Djibouti (21 January 2026); and Dominica (21 January 2026).
Others are Fiji (21 January 2026); Gabon (21 January 2026); The Gambia (11 October 2025); Guinea (1 January 2026); Guinea-Bissau (1 January 2026).
Also listed are Nigeria (21 January 2026); São Tomé and Príncipe (23 October 2025); Senegal (21 January 2026) and others.
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