The United States government has announced a new visa bond policy that could see some foreign visitors paying up to $15,000 as a refundable deposit before entering the country — and Nigerians may be among those impacted.

The pilot programme, which is set to begin on August 20, will require tourists and business travellers from countries with high visa overstay rates to pay bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The idea is to discourage visitors from remaining in the US after their visas expire.

According to the US State Department, the move is part of efforts to curb illegal immigration and enhance national security. Only travellers who stick to the terms of their #visas will get their money back. Anyone who overstays risks forfeiting the entire bond.

Although the list of affected countries hasn’t been published yet, the policy will be based on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data, which in 2023 showed over 500,000 visitors stayed beyond their authorised period. Countries with weak vetting systems or high overstay records are likely targets.

Here’s what we know so far:
• The programme will run for 12 months as a trial
• It applies mainly to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visas
• Travellers must enter and exit through selected airports
• US consular officers will decide who must pay and how much
• Only those who follow the visa rules will get their bond refunded

This policy had been considered during Trump’s first term but was shelved due to COVID-19 travel restrictions. With foreign travel now fully reopened, the administration has revived the plan to further tighten immigration controls.

The US already has the authority to request visa bonds, but this marks the first time it’s being tested on a larger scale.

What Does This Mean for Nigerians?

Nigeria has previously been flagged for high numbers of visa overstays, and in 2020 the Trump administration had already imposed additional visa restrictions on certain categories of Nigerian travellers. If Nigeria is listed under this new bond scheme, it could mean thousands of naira in additional upfront costs for applicants — not to mention tighter scrutiny.

Reactions So Far

While some view the bond as a necessary measure to ensure compliance with US #immigration laws, others say it could discourage legitimate travellers and worsen US-Africa relations.

More details - including a full list of countries affected - are expected in the coming days. The bond programme will officially kick off 15 days after its publication in the Federal Register, which is scheduled for this week.