Nigerians and other travellers applying for the United States’ B1/B2 visas may be required to post bonds of up to $15,000, according to a new travel restriction by the US State Department.  

Visa bonds are financial guarantees required by the Department for certain foreign nationals from countries classified as high-risk, who are applying for B1/B2 visas for business or tourism purposes.

The development further tightens entry conditions for travellers, following the introduction of partial US travel restrictions on Nigeria a week earlier.

According to information published on the US Department of State’s website, Travel.State.Gov, the fees paid without the direction of a consular officer will not be refunded, and do not guarantee automatic visa issuance.

Of the listed nations, African countries accounted for 24 of the 38, including Nigeria, in the updated list released by the Department on Tuesday.