The United States has made permanent a visa bond programme requiring certain travellers from 50 countries, including Nigeria and 29 other African nations, to pay a refundable bond of up to $20,000 before receiving specific nonimmigrant visas.
According to a notice published by the US Department of State on Friday, the requirement applies to applicants seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas who are otherwise eligible for a visa but are instructed by a consular officer to post a bond before the visa is issued. The policy, initially introduced as a pilot programme in 2025, is intended to strengthen compliance with US immigration rules.
Under the programme, travellers who comply with the conditions of their visas and depart the United States within the authorised period will receive a full refund of the bond.
The State Department said consular officers will determine when a bond is required and the amount to be paid. It stated, “Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers.”
The department said findings from the pilot programme demonstrated that the system could help improve adherence to US immigration requirements.
“The 2025 visa bond pilot, which provided a framework for the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of the Treasury to assess the feasibility of administering a visa bond program, has provided sufficient data to suggest that a visa bond program is an effective tool for enforcing compliance among bonded visa holders,” the notice said.
The countries included are
Algeria (January 21, 2026)
Angola (January 21, 2026)
Antigua and Barbuda (January 21, 2026)
Bangladesh (January 21, 2026)
Benin (January 21, 2026)
Bhutan (January 1, 2026)
Botswana (January 1, 2026)
Burundi (January 21, 2026)
Cabo Verde (January 21, 2026)
Cambodia (April 2, 2026)
Others are:
Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
Côte d'Ivoire (January 21, 2026)
Cuba (January 21, 2026)
Djibouti (January 21, 2026)
Dominica (January 21, 2026)
Ethiopia (April 2, 2026)
Fiji (January 21, 2026)
Gabon (January 21, 2026)
The Gambia (October 11, 2025)
Georgia (April 2, 2026)
Grenada (April 2, 2026)
Guinea (January 1, 2026)
Guinea-Bissau (January 1, 2026)
Kyrgyz Republic (January 21, 2026)
Lesotho (April 2, 2026)
Malawi (August 20, 2025)
Mauritania (October 23, 2025)
Mauritius (April 2, 2026)
Mongolia (April 2, 2026)
Mozambique (April 2, 2026)
Namibia (January 1, 2026)
Nepal (January 21, 2026)
Nicaragua (April 2, 2026)
Nigeria (January 21, 2026)
Papua New Guinea (April 2, 2026)
Sao Tome and Principe (October 23, 2025)
Senegal (January 21, 2026)
Seychelles (April 2, 2026)
Tajikistan (January 21, 2026)
Tanzania (October 23, 2025)
Togo (January 21, 2026)
Tonga (January 21, 2026)
Tunisia (April 2, 2026)
Turkmenistan (January 1, 2026)
Tuvalu (January 21, 2026)
Uganda (January 21, 2026)
Vanuatu (January 21, 2026)
Venezuela (January 21, 2026)
Zambia (August 20, 2025)
Zimbabwe (January 21, 2026)
### **US Clarifies Visa Bond Process
The United States government has outlined the procedures for applicants selected under its new visa bond programme, warning that no payments should be made unless specifically directed by a consular officer. The policy requires affected travellers to complete the Department of Homeland Security's Form I-352 before any bond payment can be processed.
According to the guidelines, applicants instructed to participate in the programme must wait for official directions from a U.S. consular officer before submitting the form or paying the refundable bond. The government noted that the bond may be paid by the applicant or a third party, such as a relative, friend or business associate.
The State Department said all payments must be made through the U.S. government's official Pay.gov platform using a direct payment link provided after approval to proceed. It also cautioned applicants against making payments through unofficial websites, stressing that it would not be responsible for funds sent outside authorised government channels. In addition, the department said the name of the individual making the payment must match the obligor listed on Form I-352.
Officials further emphasised that paying the required bond does not guarantee that a visa will be issued. The department warned that applicants who make payments without receiving official instructions from a consular officer would not be entitled to a refund.
Under the programme, affected travellers are required to enter and leave the United States through approved commercial airports or U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance locations. They are prohibited from using charter flights, private aircraft, land border crossings or seaports while travelling under the visa bond arrangement.
The State Department explained that the bond will be cancelled and refunded if "the traveller leaves the United States on or before the date authorised by immigration officials," if "the visa holder does not travel to the United States before the visa expires," or if "the traveller is denied entry at a U.S. point of entry."
However, the Department of Homeland Security may declare the bond forfeited if a traveller breaches the programme's conditions. The department said violations include "remaining in the United States beyond the authorised period", "failing to depart after the approved stay expires", and "violating the terms of the visa bond, including certain immigration status adjustment situations".
The State Department said the programme is rooted in provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and is informed by visitor overstay rates compiled by the Department of Homeland Security. It added that the visa bond requirement applies to eligible applicants regardless of where they submit their visa applications.
