The United States has introduced stricter immigration measures by expanding its visa bond policy, requiring travellers from 50 countries, including Nigeria, to deposit up to $15,000 before entry.
The policy, announced by the U.S. Department of State, is
scheduled to take effect on April 2, 2026, and will apply to applicants seeking
B1/B2 visas for business and tourism purposes.
Under the new arrangement, affected travellers must pay a
refundable bond, which will only be returned if they comply with visa
conditions, including leaving the United States before the expiration of their
permitted stay.
The initiative is part of Washington’s effort to tackle visa
overstays, a persistent challenge in the country’s immigration system.
Officials indicated that the programme has already shown
promising results, with about 97 per cent of participants adhering to their
visa terms, an improvement compared to the high number of overstays recorded in
previous years.
The latest expansion brings the number of affected countries
to 50, following the addition of 12 new nations. Many of the listed countries
are in Africa, reflecting what U.S. authorities describe as higher overstay
risk categories.
The bond requirement, which ranges from $5,000 to $15,000
depending on individual risk assessments, effectively introduces an additional
financial screening layer into the visa application process.
While the deposit is refundable, critics argue that the high
upfront cost could place a significant burden on applicants from developing
countries, raising concerns about fairness and access to global travel.
However, U.S. officials have defended the policy as
cost-effective, noting that deporting an undocumented migrant can exceed
$18,000 per case. They argue that the bond system could help reduce enforcement
costs and save taxpayers substantial funds.
Nigeria is among the countries currently subject to the
policy, placing its citizens within the scope of the tightened visa regime.
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