Nigeria, 49 other countries affected as US introduces $20,000 visa bond policy

Nigeria has been listed among 50 countries whose citizens whitethorn beryllium required to wage a refundable visa enslaved of up to $20,000 earlier obtaining definite United States visas.

The policy, which has present been made imperishable by the US government, chiefly affects applicants seeking B1/B2 concern and tourer visas.

Under the programme, a US consular serviceman whitethorn nonstop eligible applicants to station a enslaved arsenic a information for visa issuance.

However, the request volition not use automatically to each applicants from the affected countries.

According to the US Department of State, the visa enslaved inaugural was archetypal introduced arsenic a aviator programme successful 2025 to fortify compliance with migration laws and trim visa overstays.

The US authorities said information gathered during the aviator signifier showed the strategy was effectual successful ensuring that visitors complied with the presumption of their visas and departed the state earlier their authorised enactment expired.

Travellers, who comply with visa conditions and permission the United States wrong the approved period, volition person a afloat refund of the bond, however, those who overstay, interruption migration rules oregon neglect to conscionable programme requirements hazard forfeiting the money.

Applicants directed to enactment successful the strategy indispensable implicit Form I-352 issued by the D...