The impact of the US visa bond requirements for over 20 African countries, which took effect on January 21, is already being felt.

Under the new measures, business and tourist visa applicants from the listed countries must provide a refundable bond of up to $15,000 and are expected to enter and exit the US via designated airports.

Overstaying or failing to comply with visa conditions could result in forfeiture of the bond, a measure the US asserts will strengthen immigration compliance.

Analysts say the $15,000 bond is out of reach for many Africans and risks redefining global mobility based on financial capacity.

Nigeria is among the affected countries, and the impact of the visa bond requirements has already claimed its first victims.

For Uche Ohiri, traveling to the US was supposed to be a landmark moment after completing an online university program. Uche, a student, hoped to attend her graduation ceremony and visit family members. However, her visa application was denied.

"Maybe (I will reapply) in the next five years or something, but at this moment it's not a plan that I'm thinking about with everything that is happening and the new laws and policies,” Uche said. 

Precious Okafor, a travel consultant, said the measures are forcing travelers to consider alternative destinations.

"We have lots of credible and hard-working Nigerians who just want to go for a 10-day vacation and return with no issues, and I understand that this ban is affecting their decisions. If the US is not going to work, then they can go to Canada, the UK or China," she said. 

Diplomatic engagements between the Nigerian government and the US are ongoing.

"The US has raised its concerns. The government of Nigeria has noted them and, as usual, we are going to continue through diplomatic channels to ensure that these concerns are mutually resolved,”Alkasim Abdulkadir, the Media Aide to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, said.