The United States government will now require citizens of Malawi and Zambia to pay a $15,000 (approximately 9.3 million FCFA or £11,300) bond when applying for a tourist or business visa. This comes under a 12-month pilot program announced by the US State Department, aimed at addressing concerns around visa overstays and security vetting.
Pilot Program Targets High Overstay Rates
According to a notice published by the State Department on Tuesday, the new measure applies to temporary visitors (B-1/B-2 visas) from countries with high visa overstay rates or where “screening and vetting information is considered deficient.”
The statement reads:
“Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) and who are nationals of countries identified by the Department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering Citizenship by Investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot program.”
It further adds:
“Consular officers may require covered non-immigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers.”
The bond will be refunded after the visitor departs the United States within the permitted time. However, failure to comply could result in forfeiture of the full amount.
Malawi and Zambia Among High-Risk Nations
According to 2023 figures from the US Department of Homeland Security, about 14% of Malawian and 11% of Zambian visitors overstayed their visas. These rates are among the highest globally, with Haiti (31%), Myanmar (27%), and Yemen (20%) also on the list.
Zambia Seeks Clarification
Zambia’s Foreign Minister, Mulambo Haimbe, responded to the news, telling the BBC:
“The government is engaging our counterparts to get a full understanding of the implications and what can be done, if anything, to address the underlying issues.”
The measure has raised concerns among potential travelers and officials in the affected countries, who fear it may deter tourism, business, and educational exchanges.
Broader Immigration Crackdown Under Trump
The visa bond pilot program is the latest in a series of moves by President Donald Trump, who began his second term in January, to curb illegal immigration. On his first day back in office, Trump signed an executive order to that effect.
Since January, his administration has:
- Revoked humanitarian protections for certain migrant groups.
- Banned foreign nationals from 12 countries from traveling to the US.
- Imposed partial restrictions on an additional seven nations.
- Revoked student visas and detained international students without prior notice or appeal mechanisms.
The State Department claims these actions target individuals who engage in behaviour “counter to US national interests.” Many of those affected have participated in pro-Palestinian activities, while others have faced penalties over minor legal infractions, such as speeding.
More Countries May Be Added
US officials indicated that the visa bond program may be expanded to include citizens of other countries with similar overstay or vetting issues. This could significantly impact how international travellers plan their visits to the United States in the coming year.
As the policy unfolds, governments and immigration experts alike will be closely watching its impact — both diplomatically and economically.
