By Lizzy Chirkpi
The United States of America has introduced a permanent visa bond programme that could require certain Nigerian travellers and applicants from 29 other African countries to deposit up to $20,000 before obtaining B1/B2 business or tourist visas, as part of efforts to reduce visa overstays and strengthen immigration enforcement.
The policy, which takes effect on August 3, 2026, applies to selected visa applicants from 50 countries worldwide. Under the programme, affected travellers may be required to pay a refundable financial bond before being issued a visa.
The initiative follows a pilot programme launched in 2025, with the maximum bond amount increased from $15,000 to $20,000.
According to the U.S. State Department, the bond will be refunded in full if the visitor departs the United States before the expiration of their authorised stay and complies with all visa conditions. However, the deposit will be forfeited if the traveller overstays or violates the terms of the visa.
Quoting a report by DW Africa, the policy states that “the US has made permanent a visa bond programme that could require some travellers from 50 countries, including 30 in Africa, to pay up to $20,000 before receiving a US business or tourist visa. The money is refunded if the visitor leaves the US before their visa expires and obeys all visa rules. It is forfeited if they overstay or violate the terms of their visa.”
The African countries affected by the programme are Nigeria, Benin, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Senegal, Togo, Burundi, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, the Central African Republic, Gabon, Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Algeria, Mauritania, Tunisia, Mauritius, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Seychelles.
The U.S. State Department said the programme is intended to encourage compliance with U.S. immigration laws by reducing the number of visitors who overstay their visas.
However, the policy has drawn criticism from some observers, who argue that the substantial financial requirement could discourage legitimate travel, particularly among applicants from developing countries, by creating an additional economic barrier.
The permanent visa bond programme forms part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement agenda, which includes stricter visa screening procedures and tougher measures aimed at reducing visa overstays.