New U.S. Visa Regulations Impose Mandatory Bonds on Citizens of Nigeria, Senegal, and 11 Other African States

The United States has significantly expanded its visa bond policy, now requiring passport holders from 38 countries to post bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for certain visas, government notices showed.

The updated requirement, set to take effect on January 21, adds 25 more nations to the growing list of countries subject to the bond obligation. Many of the newly included states are in Africa, with others in Latin America, Asia and the Caribbean.

Under the policy, travellers may be asked to pay a refundable bond as part of the visa application process. U.S. authorities say the bond is designed to encourage compliance with visa conditions and help reduce instances of overstays. The payment does not guarantee visa approval and is returned if the applicant abides by the terms of their stay or if the visa is denied.

Among the countries added under the latest expansion are Algeria, Angola, Benin, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo, and Uganda, alongside others across multiple regions. These join previously listed states such as the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania and Zambia.

Critics, including immigration advocates and some foreign governments, argue the bond requirement could make travel to the United States unaffordable for many citizens of lower-income countries. They also caution that the financial barrier may disproportionately affect students, business travellers and tourists.

U.S. officials have defended the policy as part of broader immigration and border security efforts, which also include enhanced interview procedures and scrutiny of applicants’ travel histories and online activity.