The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has issued multiple statements slamming the West African nation’s poor database and imposed visa restrictions.
The U.S. State Department has announced a 12-month pilot programme requiring selected visa applicants from countries with high overstay rates and weak security systems to pay a refundable bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The move targets nations whose citizens often violate visa terms or whose governments do not adequately document their nationals.
Effective from August 20, applicants must travel through designated airports. The bond will be refunded if the traveller complies with all visa conditions. Non-compliance will result in forfeiture of the bond.
The U.S. Embassy in Nigeria has criticized the country’s poor database, stating that the policy was necessary due to security concerns. Visa privileges for Nigerian citizens were previously downgraded from five-year multiple entries to three-month single entries.
A U.S. Mission spokesperson said, “Countries will be identified based on high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies,” adding that the bond scheme is part of broader national security reforms intended to encourage better compliance and cooperation.