Diplomacy/ International: USA imposes $15,000 visa bond on travelers from Malawi, Zambia
The U.S. State Department has announced a new pilot program requiring citizens of Malawi and Zambia to pay a refundable $15,000 bond to obtain tourist or business visas. The measure, aimed at reducing visa overstays, could soon expand to other nations with high non-compliance rates.
Under the 12-month trial, consular officers may demand the deposit reimbursable upon lawful departure from applicants deemed high-risk due to insufficient vetting data or past overstay trends.
Homeland Security reports show 14% of Malawian and 11% of Zambian visitors overstayed visas in 2023, rates eclipsed by Haiti (31%) and Myanmar (27%).
The move aligns with President Trump’s broader immigration crackdown, including travel bans for 12 countries and revoked visas for foreign students linked to “anti-U.S.” activities.
Critics argue the bond policy unfairly targets lower-income travelers, while officials insist it safeguards immigration integrity.
If upheld, the program may reshape visa access for nations with limited U.S. diplomatic ties or investor-citizenship schemes
