Citizens of 13 more countries, including Nigeria, Algeria and Senegal, are now required to deposit a bond of up to $15,000 when applying for a U.S. visitor visa, in a significant tightening of Washington’s entry requirements.
Under a U.S. State Department visa bond pilot program, nationals of designated countries applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourism) visas may be asked to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 as part of the application process. The exact amount is determined by a consular officer during the visa interview, and payment is made via the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform after eligibility for the visa has been established.
The State Department says the program is aimed at ensuring compliance with visa terms, particularly discouraging overstays, and strengthening vetting controls for travelers from countries with higher overstay rates or weaker screening systems. Officials assert that the bond is refundable if the visitor complies with the terms of stay and departs the United States on time. However, paying the bond does not guarantee visa issuance.
Critics argue the requirement erects a substantial financial barrier, especially for middle-class and working-class applicants in affected countries, effectively restricting mobility and access. For many families, the upfront cost — which could exceed $15,000 per person — may make travel unaffordable regardless of intent.
The expanded list, effective January 21, 2026, brings the total number of countries subject to the bond requirement to 38, with the majority located in Africa. Among them are Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, Uganda and Zimbabwe.
Many of these nations were previously exempt from such restrictions, but the U.S. has been steadily widening the policy since its initial pilot phase, launched in 2025 with countries including The Gambia, Malawi and Zambia.
The policy forms part of a broader shift in U.S. immigration enforcement, which also includes enhanced vetting procedures, social media history checks, and — in some cases — suspension or restriction of certain visa categories for nationals of specific countries. Observers warn that these measures could have far-reaching diplomatic and economic consequences, affecting tourism, business travel, family visits and educational exchanges between the United States and countries across Africa and beyond.
Credit:BBC
