Travellers entering the United States under the newly finalised visa bond scheme face strict travel parameters and must enter and depart strictly through designated commercial airports, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance points. Private aircraft, charter flights, sea ports, and land crossings are entirely prohibited under the system.
The regulations stem from a federal notice posted online on Friday by the U.S. Department of State, which confirmed that its temporary pilot scheme has now been made permanent. Under the directive, designated applicants seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas from 50 countries, including Nigeria and 29 other African nations, may be required to post a refundable bond of up to $20,000 before a visa is granted.
Grounded in the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act and shaped by Department of Homeland Security overstay metrics, the requirement applies to qualifying individuals regardless of where they lodge their applications. Addressing the transition from a trial scheme to permanent policy, the State Department noted that the initial testing period: “provided sufficient data to suggest that a visa bond program is an effective tool for enforcing compliance among bonded visa holders.”
Under the rules, consular officers maintain full discretion over whether an otherwise eligible applicant must post the financial guarantee. Official guidance dictates that: “Consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $20,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers.”
Applicants directed to pay must fill out Department of Homeland Security Form I-352. The authorities warned that form submission and payments should only occur following explicit consular instruction, as unsolicited payments will not be refunded nor will they ensure visa approval.
Payments must be processed through the official U.S. Treasury platform (Pay.gov) using a direct payment link, with the State Department disclaiming liability for funds transferred through external sites. Whilst third parties, such as relatives, business partners, or friends, may fund the guarantee, the payer’s name must strictly match the obligor details on Form I-352.
The U.S. government outlined specific criteria for the release or forfeiture of funds. Full refunds will be issued if the visitor departs on or before their authorised date, if the visa expires unused, or if entry is rejected at a U.S. port of entry.
Conversely, the Department of Homeland Security will declare the bond breached and forfeited if the individual overstays their approved visit, fails to depart, or breaks bond conditions, including unapproved status adjustments.
Affected Countries and Effective Dates
The 50 nations subject to the policy, along with their respective dates of inclusion, comprise:
* Algeria (21 January 2026)
* Angola (21 January 2026)
* Antigua and Barbuda (21 January 2026)
* Bangladesh (21 January 2026)
* Benin (21 January 2026)
* Bhutan (1 January 2026)
* Botswana (1 January 2026)
* Burundi (21 January 2026)
* Cabo Verde (21 January 2026)
* Cambodia (2 April 2026)
* Central African Republic (1 January 2026)
* Côte d’Ivoire (21 January 2026)
* Cuba (21 January 2026)
* Djibouti (21 January 2026)
* Dominica (21 January 2026)
* Ethiopia (2 April 2026)
* Fiji (21 January 2026)
* Gabon (21 January 2026)
* The Gambia (11 October 2025)
* Georgia (2 April 2026)
* Grenada (2 April 2026)
* Guinea (1 January 2026)
* Guinea-Bissau (1 January 2026)
* Kyrgyz Republic (21 January 2026)
* Lesotho (2 April 2026)
* Malawi (20 August 2025)
* Mauritania (23 October 2025)
* Mauritius (2 April 2026)
* Mongolia (2 April 2026)
* Mozambique (2 April 2026)
* Namibia (1 January 2026)
* Nepal (21 January 2026)
* Nicaragua (2 April 2026)
* Nigeria (21 January 2026)
* Papua New Guinea (2 April 2026)
* São Tomé and Príncipe (23 October 2025)
* Senegal (21 January 2026)
* Seychelles (2 April 2026)
* Tajikistan (21 January 2026)
* Tanzania (23 October 2025)
* Togo (21 January 2026)
* Tonga (21 January 2026)
* Tunisia (2 April 2026)
* Turkmenistan (1 January 2026)
* Tuvalu (21 January 2026)
* Uganda (21 January 2026)
* Vanuatu (21 January 2026)
* Venezuela (21 January 2026)
* Zambia (20 August 2025)
* Zimbabwe (21 January 2026)