Zambia is worried about the “financial strain” of the new US visa bond

Zambia’s government said on Friday that it was worried about the “unnecessary financial strain” that a new rule that would make getting some types of U.S. visas mandatory for its people would put on the country’s economy.

Within a pilot program for tourism and business visas, starting August 20, President Donald Trump’s administration will ask visa applicants from Zambia and Malawi to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. This was announced by the State Department on Tuesday.

“While the (U.S.) government has a prerogative to initiate policy changes, the Zambian government views this development with serious concern, given its potential economic implications on trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges,” Malawi’s Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe said in a statement.

“This includes the unnecessary financial strain on Zambian nationals.”

Trump is using this move to target countries with high rates of overstaying visas as part of his crackdown on illegal immigrants. The bond amount will be repaid if the applicant leaves the U.S. within the time limit and follows all the rules of their visa status.

According to Haimbe, Haimbe’s government would work with U.S. peers to look into possible solutions. In addition, it would not affect Zambians who were looking for student visas or who had a valid visa before August 20.

According to the country’s most recent statistical report, the average family income is about $150 per month.

“This bond is not only unaffordable for most Zambians, it’s laughable,” Anthony Mukwita, a Zambian international relations expert and former minister, wrote on Facebook.

“It could drill a borehole and bring clean water to an entire village,” he said. “Instead, it is being used to buy a chance at an American dream, a dream that’s increasingly looking like a gated community with a very expensive entry fee.”

Malawi’s government has not yet officially reacted to the measure.