The United States government has announced a new pilot programme that will require tourist and business visa applicants from Nigeria and several other countries to pay bonds of up to $15,000, as part of efforts to curb visa overstays.
The policy, set to take effect on August 20, 2025, was introduced under a framework originally proposed during the administration of former President Donald Trump.
According to a notice published in the Federal Register, U.S. consular officers will now have the discretion to request visa bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with a preference for the higher range of $10,000 or more, particularly for applicants from countries with high overstay rates.
Countries Affected
Nations expected to be significantly impacted include:
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Nigeria
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Angola
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Liberia
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Mauritania
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Sierra Leone
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Cabo Verde
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Burkina Faso
These countries reportedly had overstay rates above 10 percent in 2023, according to US government data.
“The funds will be returned to travelers if they depart in accordance with the terms of their visas,” the US government said via Reuters.
The policy is part of broader efforts to tighten immigration enforcement and encourage compliance with visa terms.
This comes just days after the US imposed import tariffs on Nigeria and several other African nations, signaling rising diplomatic and economic tensions between Washington and parts of the continent.
