Nigerians face up to $15,000 visa bond as US tightens immigration controls

The United States has introduced stricter migration measures by expanding its visa enslaved policy, requiring travellers from 50 countries, including Nigeria, to deposit up to $15,000 earlier entry.

The policy, announced by the U.S. Department of State, is scheduled to instrumentality effect connected April 2, 2026, and volition use to applicants seeking B1/B2 visas for concern and tourism purposes.

Under the caller arrangement, affected travellers indispensable wage a refundable bond, which volition lone beryllium returned if they comply with visa conditions, including leaving the United States earlier the expiration of their permitted stay.

The inaugural is portion of Washington’s effort to tackle visa overstays, a persistent situation successful the country’s migration system.

Officials indicated that the programme has already shown promising results, with astir 97 per cent of participants adhering to their visa terms, an betterment compared to the precocious fig of overstays recorded successful erstwhile years.

The latest enlargement brings the fig of affected countries to 50, pursuing the summation of 12 caller nations. Many of the listed countries are successful Africa, reflecting what U.S. authorities picture arsenic higher overstay hazard categories.

The enslaved requirement, which ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 depending connected idiosyncratic hazard assessments, efficaciously int...