The US mandates that citizens of Zambia and Malawi pay a bond of up to $15,000 for certain visitor visas
The State Department announced Tuesday that as part of a trial program that will begin in two weeks, the administration of President Donald Trump will require Zambian and Malawian visa applicants to pay bonds of up to $15,000 for some business and tourist visas.
“Starting August 20, 2025, any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond in amounts of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, determined at time of visa interview,” the State Department stated in a notice posted to its web page.
The Federal Register published a notice on Monday about the program, which allows U.S. consulate officials around the world to impose bonds on travelers from nations with high visa overstay rates, but it omitted any mention of the countries.
On Monday, a State Department official stated that the selection of nations will be based on “high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, concerns regarding acquisition of citizenship by investment without a residency requirement, and foreign policy considerations.”
According to the spokesman, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the list of nations may occasionally be revised.
The bond amount will be repaid to the applicant if they comply with all the conditions of their visa status and depart the United States within the time frame permitted by their visa.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has prioritized enforcing the law, increasing border security resources, and apprehending illegal immigrants.
In June, he enacted a travel restriction that, for reasons of national security, prohibits the entry of nationals of 19 countries, either completely or in part.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection data from fiscal year 2023 also showed high overstay rates in some African nations, such as Burundi, Djibouti, and Togo.
The State Department letter on Tuesday stated that holders of visas who have posted a visa bond must enter and exit the country through three designated ports of entry. These were identified as Washington Dulles Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Boston Logan Airport.
It issued a warning that if these travelers come or go from any other location, they might not be allowed entrance or their departure would not be properly recorded.
