The United States has announced a new visa bond requirement for citizens of Zambia and Malawi applying for certain visitor visas, as part of a pilot program under the Trump administration.
Beginning on August 20, 2025, eligible applicants must pay a refundable bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 when applying for B1/B2 visitor visas (covering tourism and short-term business).
According to a notice published by the U.S. State Department, consular officers will determine the bond amount during the applicant’s visa interview.
The measure is intended to ensure that applicants comply with visa terms, particularly regarding the duration of their stay.
“Starting August 20, any citizen traveling on a Zambian or Malawian passport deemed eligible for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond, determined at the interview stage,” the U.S. State Department stated via its official site.
To post the bond, applicants must submit Form I-352 to the Department of Homeland Security and complete payment via the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Pay.gov portal. This process is mandatory regardless of the embassy or consulate at which the visa is filed.
Importantly, the payment of a bond does not guarantee that the visa will be approved.
The State Department warns that applicants should only pay after being instructed to do so by an official. Unrequested payments are non-refundable.
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If the visa holder departs the U.S. within their authorized stay and abides by all immigration regulations, the full bond amount will be reimbursed.
The policy also restricts entry and departure for these travelers to a limited number of U.S. airports:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Failure to use these designated entry points, or non-compliance with travel conditions, could result in being denied entry or flagged for future visa issues.
Since returning to office in January 2025, President Donald Trump has pushed forward multiple executive orders aimed at tightening immigration.
These include eliminating several humanitarian protections and imposing travel bans on citizens from 12 countries, most of which are in Africa. Additionally, partial restrictions have been placed on citizens from seven other nations.
The visa bond policy is the latest measure contributing to what critics describe as a broader climate of immigration restriction targeting African nations.
Image Credit: Morocco World News
