U.S to impose $15,000 visa bond for Malawian, Zambian travelers
By Skylar DeBose
Starting August 20, travelers from Malawi and Zambia applying for U.S. tourist or business visas will be required to pay a refundable bond of up to USD15,000.
The pilot program, announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, aims to reduce visa overstays among B1/B2 visa holders.
According to the Department of State, the decision is based on elevated overstay rates and operational concerns.
“Nationals of these countries who traveled to the United States on nonimmigrant visas exceeded their authorized period of admission at high rates. Elevated overstay rates generally suggest a greater likelihood that nationals from these countries may fail to depart the United States as required or otherwise not comply with U.S. immigration laws,” the department said in a statement.
A 2023 report from the Department of Homeland Security showed that 14.3 percent of visitors from Malawi and 11.1 percent from Zambia overstayed their visas.
Since President Donald Trump began his second term in January, his administration has taken aggressive steps to tighten immigration policy.
In June, he suspended entry for nationals from seven African countries and placed new restrictions on Sierra Leone and Togo. Malawi and Zambia were not included in those measures.
Trump also expanded the budget for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to USD11.2 billion. The visa bond policy is part of a broader shift in U.S. immigration enforcement, particularly targeting African nations.
Many Malawians and Zambians travel to the U.S. seeking financial opportunities. Malawi is among the poorest countries in Africa, and Zambia continues to face rising living costs. In February, Zambia’s inflation rate rose to 16.8 percent.
Habiba Osman, a human rights lawyer and head of Malawi’s Human Rights Commission, criticized the bond requirement.
“This move is punishing those who travel in good faith. It’s a serious financial burden for applicants,” she said.
The bond will be refunded if applicants comply with visa terms, are denied visas, or depart the U.S. before their visa expires.
However, travelers must enter and exit the U.S. through designated airports, Boston Logan, JFK in New York, or Washington Dulles, to ensure compliance.
