The U.S. State Department will launch a 12‑month pilot visa program starting August 20, 2025, requiring business (B‑1) and tourist (B‑2) visa applicants from Nigeria and several African countries—including Angola, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and others with over‑10 % overstay rates—to post bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 at the visa interview. Consular officers will determine the bond amount based on overstay history and local vetting rigor, and bonds are refundable if applicants comply with visa terms and depart on time. The policy is projected to affect approximately 2,000 travelers and is intended to reinforce immigration compliance, with entry and exit restricted to three U.S. airports: Boston, JFK, or Dulles. Critics argue this measure disproportionately burdens nationals from lower‑income countries, raising equity concerns and potentially discouraging legitimate travel and business ties. At the same time, policymakers intend the bonds to act as both a deterrent and diplomatic prompt for partner governments to enforce better traveler screening and repatriation efforts.