The United States, under the Donald Trump administration, has imposed a new and stringent travel restriction impacting citizens from Nigeria and several other countries. This new policy mandates that individuals seeking to enter the United States on a B1/B2 non-immigrant visitor visa must post a bond of up to $15,000 before being granted entry. The US Department of State announced this development on its website, effective January 21.

The B1/B2 visa facilitates short-term travel for purposes such as business (B1) or tourism (B2), allowing visitors to attend meetings, conferences, or visit family and friends. This latest measure follows closely on the heels of earlier restrictions by the US government on various visa categories, including those for green card holders and individuals seeking entry on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas. The US cited high rates of visa overstays and security concerns as the primary motivations behind these escalating restrictions.

A broad range of countries are affected by this new bond requirement, with a significant number being African nations, alongside some Latin American and Asian countries. Besides Nigeria, the list includes Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé and Príncipe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, Zambia, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe.

The bond itself is a financial guarantee provided to the US government to ensure that a visitor adheres to the terms and conditions of their visa. Its core purpose is to deter individuals from overstaying their permitted duration or engaging in unauthorized employment. Should a visa holder depart the US on or before their authorized departure date, the bond amount is fully refunded. Conversely, if a visitor overstays or violates any visa conditions, the bond may be forfeited, either partially or entirely.

This policy is an integral part of the Trump administration's broader crackdown on immigration. For applicants, the bond amount is not fixed; it can be set at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, with the specific figure determined during the visa interview process. Furthermore, applicants are required to submit the Department of Homeland Security's Form I-352 and must agree to the bond terms through the US Department of the Treasury's online payment platform, Pay.gov. This requirement applies uniformly regardless of where the visa application is made. It is crucial to note that the posting of a bond does not automatically guarantee visa approval.

The US Department of State clarified that if a visa is denied, the bond amount will be refunded. Similarly, if a visa holder demonstrates full compliance with their visa terms, the bond is returned. However, the introduction of this bond, particularly with its substantial amount, is expected to make obtaining a US visa significantly more challenging for many citizens, especially in countries like Nigeria where such sums may be unaffordable. Additionally, visa holders who post bonds are mandated to enter the US through specific designated airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.