The United States has implemented new visa rules requiring travelers from 12 additional countries to post financial bonds of up to $15,000 to obtain business or tourist visas. The policy, which took effect immediately, expands an earlier rule that already applied to a smaller group of nations. Travelers must now prove they can financially support themselves during their stay and will return home afterward by posting a bond. The Department of Homeland Security said the move aims to reduce the number of people who overstay their visas. Countries newly affected include Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, and Bangladesh. A DHS spokesperson stated, "This rule strengthens our ability to enforce visa compliance." The bond amount will vary based on the traveler's age, purpose of visit, and intended length of stay. For Nigerian applicants, this could mean significantly higher costs and more hurdles when applying for US travel. The US embassy in Abuja has confirmed the rule is now active but has not provided additional guidance on processing timelines.
Requiring Nigerians to post up to $15,000 to visit the US turns a routine visa into a wealth test. The policy singles out travelers from countries like Nigeria without evidence they pose a unique overstay risk. For most middle-class applicants, the bond makes visiting family or attending business meetings in the US unaffordable. This isn't tighter screening—it's a barrier by cost.
