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US Tightens Entry Rules, Flags Nigeria, 37 Others For Visa Bonds
Nigerians and other foreign travellers seeking the United States’ B1/B2 business and tourist visas may soon be required to post visa bonds of up to $15,000, following a new travel directive issued by the US Department of State.
The policy, which further tightens entry conditions for visitors, comes barely a week after the United States imposed partial travel restrictions on Nigeria and some other countries.
Visa bonds are financial guarantees demanded by the US government from certain applicants considered to be from “high-risk” countries.
The bond is meant to ensure compliance with visa conditions, including timely departure from the United States at the expiration of the authorised stay.
According to information published on the Department of State’s website, Travel.State.Gov, payment of such fees without the express instruction of a consular officer does not guarantee visa approval and will not be refunded.
Nigeria, 23 Other African Countries Listed
Out of the 38 countries listed under the new requirement, 24 are African nations, including Nigeria, according to the updated list released by the Department on Tuesday, January 6.
The Department stated that nationals from the listed countries have been identified as requiring visa bonds, with specific implementation dates assigned to each country.
Countries affected include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia and Nepal.
Others are Nigeria, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
In Nigeria’s case, the US government cited security concerns, including the activities of radical Islamic terrorist groups such as Boko Haram and the Islamic State in parts of the country.
The Department said these factors have resulted in “substantial screening and vetting difficulties” for Nigerian visa applicants.
Nigeria’s implementation date has been fixed for January 21, 2026.
Overstay Concerns
The US also justified Nigeria’s inclusion by citing visa overstay rates. According to the Department, Nigeria recorded an overstay rate of 5.56 per cent for B1/B2 visas and 11.90 per cent for F, M and J student and exchange visas.
As a result, the travel suspension covers both immigrant visas and several non-immigrant categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas.
The directive states that, “Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is otherwise found eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The amount is determined during the visa interview.”
Applicants will also be required to submit the Department of Homeland Security’s Form I-352 and agree to the bond terms through the US Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform, Pay.gov.
The requirement applies irrespective of where the visa application is submitted.
Visa holders who post bonds must enter the United States through designated airports, including Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia.
The Department clarified that bonds would only be refunded if the Department of Homeland Security records the visa holder’s departure on or before the expiration of authorised stay, if the applicant does not travel before the visa expires, or if the traveller applies for admission at a US port of entry and is denied entry.
Nigeria was among 15 mostly African countries placed under partial travel suspensions by the US government on December 16, further underscoring the tightening of America’s immigration and travel policies toward the affected nations.
United States President, Donald Trump, has commended President Bola Tinubu for his efforts to tackle terrorism and his resolve to address violence targeting Christian communities in Nigeria.
Trump also expressed his readiness to work with the Nigerian President to strengthen the relationship between the United States and Nigeria and make the country “stronger and more prosperous.”
The US President’s commendation was contained in a letter dated July 6, 2026, released on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Trump’s letter was in response to a correspondence from Tinubu, with the US President particularly praising the Nigerian leader for his approach to tackling security challenges in the country.
In the letter, Trump said he appreciated Tinubu’s leadership and commitment to addressing the problems facing Nigeria.
He specifically praised the President’s resolve to tackle violence affecting Christian communities, saying the US was prepared to support Nigeria in the fight against terrorism.
Trump said, “Thank you for your thoughtful letter. Your kind words mean a great deal to me, and I appreciate your decisive leadership on behalf of the Nigerian people.
“I applaud your resolve to tackle the issues plaguing your nation, especially the violence affecting Christian communities and it is a true honor to stand with you in the fight against terrorists and to make the Federal Republic of Nigeria stronger and more prosperous.”
Trump highlights US-Nigeria security ties
The US President said the relationship between both countries had become increasingly important amid the spread of conflicts across West Africa and other parts of the world.
According to him, Nigeria and the United States share a common goal of fighting terrorism in all its forms.
He also pointed to the 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap between both countries as a framework for strengthening joint efforts against terrorism and other security threats.
Trump said, “The United States-Nigeria relationship is crucial at a time where conflict has spread across West Africa and around the world.
“We both share a mutual goal of confronting terrorism in all its forms, and our historic US-Nigeria 2026 Defence Cooperation Roadmap has established a robust framework to accomplish this feat.”
US deploys Special Operations Forces
Trump further disclosed that the United States had deployed its Special Operations Forces to support and train Nigerian military personnel.
He described the US special forces as some of the most elite military units in the world, saying their role was to equip Nigerian troops with the necessary skills, tools and intelligence to protect the country.
The US President said the assistance was also aimed at improving the safety and security of Nigerians, particularly Christian communities that had come under attack.
He said, “I am proud to have deployed the United States Special Operations Forces—among the most elite military units anywhere in the world, to equip the brave men and women in the Armed Forces of Nigeria with the skills, tools and intelligence they need to protect your homeland and ensure the safety and security of citizens, particularly those of faith who have been under attack.”
Trump expressed optimism about continued cooperation with Tinubu, saying he looked forward to further discussions with the Nigerian President during his tenure.
“I look forward to our continued discussions over the course of my Presidency,” he added.
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State on Thursday officially declared his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election.
Makinde made the declaration during a mega rally held at Mapo Hall in Ibadan, where he also unveiled a political alliance between the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).
The Oyo governor announced that the coalition would operate under the platform of what he described as the “Reset Nigeria Movement.”
Addressing supporters and party loyalists at the rally, Makinde said the time had come for Nigerians to collectively work towards rebuilding the country and confronting its numerous socioeconomic and political challenges.
“Therefore, today, I Oluseyi Abiodun Makinde, FNSE, announce my candidacy for the position of the President of Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the governor declared to loud cheers from supporters.
The rally attracted political stakeholders, party members and supporters from different parts of the country.
Makinde explained that the alliance between the PDP and APM was necessitated by what he described as attempts to impose a one-party system on Nigeria.
According to him, the coalition is aimed at protecting democratic values and providing Nigerians with a credible political alternative ahead of the 2027 elections.
He stressed that the movement would focus on addressing pressing national issues, including economic hardship, governance challenges and political inclusion.
The governor also urged Nigerians not to remain passive in the face of the country’s current difficulties, insisting that citizens must actively participate in nation-building.
“This is the time to confront our fears. Do not be afraid,” Makinde said.
He further called on Nigerians to engage in developmental issues as active citizens rather than mere spectators.
The declaration places Makinde among the growing list of politicians expected to jostle for the nation’s top office ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Authorities in Saudi Arabia have declared Friday, March 20, 2026, as the day for the celebration of Eid al-Fitr following the non-sighting of the crescent moon.
The announcement was made on Wednesday via the official HaraminInfo social media platforms, which provide updates on religious developments in the Kingdom.
According to the statement, efforts to sight the crescent moon across designated locations in the Kingdom were unsuccessful due to unfavourable weather conditions.
“The crescent moon has NOT been sighted in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, #EidAlFitr will be celebrated on Friday, 20th March 2026,” the statement read.
The platform also offered prayers for Muslims as the holy month of Ramadan draws to a close.
“May Allāh allow us to utilise the remaining moments of this blessed month to engage in that which pleases Him, may He accept our siyām, qiyām & a’māl and may He allow us to witness many more Ramadāns in good health. Āmīn,” it added.
Saudi authorities explained that observations were conducted across multiple locations, from Dammam—identified as the first city in the Kingdom where the crescent moon is usually sighted—to Tabuk, regarded as the last observation point.
However, persistent cloud cover and rainfall hampered visibility.
“Dammam, the first city in the Kingdom where the crescent moon of Eid al-Fitr is sighted. Tabuk – the last city in the Kingdom where the sighting ends. Until now: Cloudy conditions continue at most observation sites across the Kingdom. Rain is currently heading toward observation sites across the Kingdom,” the statement noted.
Saudi Arabia’s declaration is expected to influence several Muslim-majority countries, including Nigeria, where the official pronouncement rests with the Sultan of Sokoto.
As of the time of filing this report, Nigerians are awaiting confirmation from the Sultan regarding the sighting of the moon, which will determine the exact date for Eid-el-Fitr celebrations nationwide.
Eid-el-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month characterised by fasting, prayers, and reflection by millions of Muslims around the world.
The festival is typically observed with prayers, charity, and communal celebrations among Muslim faithful.