The United States has made permanent its visa bond programme, requiring certain travellers from 50 countries, including Nigeria and 29 other African nations, to pay a refundable $20,000 visa bond before they can obtain some categories of US visas
The US Department of State said the requirement applies to applicants seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas who are otherwise eligible for a visa but are directed by a consular officer to provide a bond before issuance.
The department in a federal notice posted online on Friday, explained that the measure, which was initially introduced as a pilot scheme, is aimed at improving compliance with US immigration laws.
Travelers who adhere to visa conditions and leave the country within the approved period will have their bonds refunded.
The notice read, “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 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 50 countries whose nationals may be required to post the visa bond 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)
Central African Republic (January 1, 2026)
Cote 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)
Applicants who are directed to participate in the programme must complete the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352.
The government warned applicants not to submit the form or make any payment unless they receive instructions from a consular officer.
The bond may be paid by the applicant or a third party, including a relative, friend or business associate.
Payments must be made through the U.S. government’s official Pay.gov platform after applicants receive a direct payment link.
The State Department cautioned against using unofficial websites, noting that it would not be responsible for payments made outside approved government channels.
It added that the name of the person paying the bond must match the name of the obligor listed on Form I-352.
The department stressed that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval and warned that applicants who make payments without official instructions from a consular officer would not receive refunds.
Travel restrictions under the programme
Travelers covered by the visa bond requirement must enter and leave the United States through approved commercial airports, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance locations.
