“US Imposes $15,000 Visa Bonds on Nigerians for Business and Tourist Travel – New Travel Restrictions Explained”

The United States government has introduced stringent new visa requirements that may affect Nigerians and other nationals from high-risk countries seeking B1/B2 business and tourist visas. According to an official notice on the US Department of State website (Travel.State.Gov), applicants may now be required to post visa bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on individual circumstances assessed during visa interviews. Payment of the bond does not guarantee visa issuance, and any fees paid without a consular officer’s direction will not be refunded.
This directive, effective January 21, 2026, for Nigeria, affects 38 countries worldwide, with 24 African nations included. Visa bonds act as financial guarantees for nationals from countries classified as high-risk, ensuring compliance with visa regulations and departure requirements. Applicants must submit the Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and make payments via the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform. Bond holders are also required to enter the US only through designated airports such as Boston Logan, JFK in New York, and Washington Dulles.
The new restrictions follow a partial travel suspension imposed on Nigeria on December 16, 2025, due to security concerns linked to Boko Haram and Islamic State activities, alongside high visa overstay rates—5.56% for B1/B2 visas and 11.90% for student and exchange visas (F, M, and J categories). The US government emphasized that bonds are refundable only when a visa holder departs on time, does not travel before visa expiration, or is denied admission at a port of entry.
This move is part of broader US efforts to tighten travel compliance for nationals from countries with security, immigration, or overstay concerns, highlighting the increasing scrutiny facing Nigerian travelers seeking entry to the United States.

Nigeria Pledges Reciprocal Action Following New US Visa Requirements.

The Federal Government has vowed to impose reciprocal measures after the United States introduced stricter visa requirements for Nigerian applicants.

The U.S. Mission in Nigeria announced via its official X handle that all Nigerian visa applicants must now submit details of their social media accounts, email addresses, phone numbers, and usernames used over the past five years. It warned that failure to comply could lead to visa denial or future entry restrictions.

Following reports that the new policy expands on earlier rules for international students, which required applicants to list and remove privacy restrictions on their social media accounts for vetting purposes.

The U.S. authorities explained that the measure forms part of broader immigration policies aimed at strengthening national security.

Responding, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Kimiebi Ebienfa said Nigeria was briefed in advance of the policy and will respond with equal action. He stressed that American citizens applying for Nigerian visas will be subjected to the same requirements.

“Visa matters are reciprocal. Whatever conditions are placed on our nationals, we will apply to theirs as well,” Ebienfa stated, adding that an inter-agency meeting will be convened to determine the government’s official response.

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JAPA: UK Stops New Care Worker Visas in Bid to Cut Migration.

The UK government has officially ended the issuance of new Health and Care Worker visas for foreign care workers, effective July 22, 2025, as part of its broader strategy to curb immigration, particularly in lower-paid sectors.

The move, aimed at promoting local employment and addressing alleged ab¥ses of the visa sponsorship system, has sparked concern among stakeholders in the care industry.

Many warn the decision could further deepen staffing shortages already plaguing the social care sector. According to TravelBiz, the policy seeks to prioritise UK-based workers and tighten oversight of visa routes.

Under the new rules, no fresh overseas applications will be accepted for the Health and Care Worker visa category. Additionally, options for renewing or switching to another care-specific visa may soon be phased out.

Previously, care workers under SOC Code 6145 benefited from the UK’s Shortage Occupation List, which offered lower salary thresholds, reduced application fees, and expedited processing.

Those benefits have now been withdrawn under the revised policy. Foreign nationals already in the UK on a valid Health and Care Worker visa will not be deported and may continue in their current roles until their visas expire.

The Home Office has clarified that such individuals may still change employers if the new position meets existing visa requirements, extend their visas under transitional rules, or maintain dependent sponsorships granted before the change.

To remain in the UK once their care visa expires, affected migrants may need to consider alternative legal options, including switching to a Skilled Worker visa in an eligible role, applying for a student visa, or qualifying for settlement after five years of skilled work.

Despite the clampdown, the government will continue to accept visa applications for certain healthcare roles such as registered nurses and senior medical professionals under the Skilled Worker route. The policy change follows growing political pressure to tighten immigration controls after recent figures revealed a spike in low-wage foreign worker inflows.