What the US $15,000 Bond Means for African Travelers

The United States has introduced a new visa policy requiring citizens of Malawi and Zambia to pay a $15,000 refundable bond when applying for a B-1/B-2 visa (for business or tourism). This is part of a 12-month pilot program aimed at curbing visa overstays and tightening vetting processes.

The policy was announced in an official notice published by the U.S. Department of State. According to the notice:

“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 explains:

“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 $15,000 bond is refundable, meaning applicants will get the money back only if they leave the U.S. before their visa expires. However, failure to comply with visa conditions could result in the loss of the entire amount.

The Financial Burden on Travellers from Malawi and Zambia

This policy places a significant financial strain on applicants from Malawi and Zambia. While the U.S. government emphasises that the bond is refundable, many argue that the upfront cost is too high for average citizens from these countries.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security data from 2023 showed that approximately 14% of visitors from Malawi and 11% from Zambia overstayed their visas. These overstay rates are among the reasons the two countries were selected for the pilot.

What It Signals for Future US Immigration Policy Under President Trump

Since returning to the office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has made tighter immigration enforcement a major priority. On the first day of his second term, he signed an executive order aimed at strengthening border controls and visa regulations.

According to official U.S. reports, this visa bond program is one of several measures introduced to limit illegal immigration and enhance security. The Trump administration has also:

-Revoked visas of international students,

-Detained students on campuses,

-Banned travellers from 12 countries, and

-Imposed partial restrictions on seven others.

In addition, the U.S. State Department has justified some of its actions by stating that individuals have been involved in activities that “run counter” to U.S. national interests.

Which Countries Might Be Next?

Although the program currently targets only Malawi and Zambia, the U.S. government has made it clear that other countries may soon face similar requirements. The pilot specifically focuses on countries that:

-Have high visa overstay rates,

-Provide inadequate screening and vetting information, or

-Offer citizenship-by-investment programs with no residency requirement.

The 2023 DHS report showed even higher overstay rates in countries like Haiti (31%), Myanmar (27%), and Yemen (20%), indicating that more nations may be considered in future expansions of this policy.

The $15,000 visa bond signals a shift in U.S. immigration policy , one that leans heavily toward financial penalties and stricter requirements for certain countries, especially in Africa. While the U.S. government maintains that the policy is meant to reduce visa overstays, critics argue that it creates economic barriers and limits mobility for citizens of targeted countries.

As the pilot continues, it remains to be seen whether the policy will be expanded and how affected governments will respond diplomatically.