US Imposes $15,000 Visa Bond on Zambia, Malawi Visitors

 

Beginning August 20, 2025, the United States will require citizens of Zambia and Malawi to pay visa bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for B1/B2 tourist or business visas, under a pilot program introduced by the U.S. State Department. The policy, which targets countries with high visa overstay rates, allows consular officers the discretion to determine bond amounts during visa interviews. The bond is refundable, provided the traveler adheres to visa conditions and departs the U.S. within the permitted timeframe. The directive is part of broader U.S. efforts under President Donald Trump’s administration to combat illegal immigration and tighten border security. The State Department has linked the new bond requirements to several criteria, including national overstay rates, deficiencies in screening and vetting, and concerns over citizenship-by-investment schemes. According to 2023 data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, several African nations, including Burundi, Djibouti, and Togo, had high visa overstay rates, placing them under scrutiny. While the policy currently focuses on Zambia and Malawi, the list of targeted countries may be updated over time based on ongoing assessments.

The bond program also imposes strict travel logistics: visa holders subject to the bond requirement must enter and exit the United States through only three designated ports Boston Logan Airport, JFK Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles Airport. Failure to comply with these specific entry and exit points could result in denial of entry or improper documentation of departure, according to the State Department notice. This visa bond initiative aligns with the Trump administration’s broader nationalist immigration agenda, which has included aggressive policies such as travel bans affecting citizens from 19 countries and increased immigration enforcement across U.S. borders. Critics argue that such policies disproportionately target African nations and may strain diplomatic relations, while supporters believe the measures are necessary to ensure compliance and national security. The introduction of financial hurdles like visa bonds signals a continuing shift toward restrictive travel measures, even for individuals who are otherwise eligible for legal entry into the United States.

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