Beginning August 20, the Trump administration will require some B1/B2 visa applicants from Zambia and Malawi to pay bonds of up to $15,000. The pilot program targets countries with high visa overstay rates, and U.S. officials say the measure is aimed at improving compliance with immigration laws and departure tracking.
Visa Bonds Target Overstays from Zambia and Malawi
The U.S. State Department announced that certain visa applicants from Zambia and Malawi will soon be required to post a bond of up to $15,000 before being issued tourist or business visas. The measure is part of a pilot program set to take effect on August 20, 2025. It will apply to citizens of these countries applying for B1/B2 visas.
According to a notice posted on the State Department’s website, applicants found otherwise eligible for the visa must pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. Consular officers will determine the amount at the time of the visa interview.
Justification Rooted in Overstay Concerns
While the initial Federal Register notice announcing the program did not name specific countries, the State Department later confirmed that Zambia and Malawi were among those included due to high overstay rates and other criteria.
A spokesperson for the department said that countries are selected based on multiple risk factors, including the frequency with which their nationals overstay their visas, deficiencies in vetting procedures, concerns about citizenship-by-investment programs without residency requirements, and broader foreign policy considerations.
Refundable Bonds Linked to Visa Compliance
The bond, while significant, is refundable. Applicants who leave the U.S. within the permitted window and comply with all visa conditions will receive their bond back. But any violation, such as overstaying or breaching visa terms, could result in forfeiture of the bond.
The State Department said the policy aims to encourage compliance with immigration law and increase responsibility among some types of visitors.
Broader Immigration Enforcement Goals
The visa bond program is one aspect of the broader Trump administration plan to reduce immigration and enforce compliance more strictly. Since taking office, President Trump has focused on reducing both legal and unauthorized immigration by increasing vetting procedures and imposing new entry restrictions on several countries.
In June, the administration issued a travel ban that fully or partially restricted entry from 19 nations, many of them in Africa or the Middle East, on national security grounds. The latest visa bond requirement echoes these earlier actions, particularly in its focus on specific African countries with high overstay rates.
Limited Ports of Entry and Exit
The State Department notice also specifies that travelers who are subject to the visa bond requirement must use one of three designated U.S. ports of entry and departure: Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, or Washington Dulles International Airport.
Failure to enter or exit through these approved ports may result in denial of entry or improper documentation of a traveler’s departure—both of which could lead to forfeiture of the visa bond or future ineligibility.
Outlook and Ongoing Scrutiny
While the pilot program is expected to affect a relatively small number of travelers initially, immigration advocates have raised concerns that it may expand to more countries or categories in the future. They argue that bond requirements could act as a financial barrier to legitimate travel and strain diplomatic ties.
The administration has defended the move as a data-driven initiative designed to address visa overstay patterns and support immigration enforcement goals.
The success and future scope of the program will likely be evaluated based on compliance rates, overstay data, and interagency reviews in the coming months.
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Resources:
- https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/us-requires-zambia-malawi-citizens-pay-up-15000-bond-some-visitor-visas-2025-08-05/
- https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/8/5/tourists-from-malawi-and-zambia-are-first-to-face-15000-visa-bonds-in-us
- https://www.vanguardngr.com/2025/08/us-requires-visitors-from-malawi-zambia-to-pay-up-to-15000-bond/
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