The Zambian government has expressed strong concern over a United States visa policy that requires certain Zambian citizens to pay a refundable bond of up to $15,000 as a condition for entry, warning that the measure could place an “unnecessary financial strain” on travellers and harm economic ties.
According to Business Insider Africa report, the rule—introduced during the Trump administration—applies to nationals of Zambia and Malawi on select visa categories.
Washington has stated that the policy aims to encourage compliance with visa terms and reduce overstays.
In a statement released on Friday, Zambia’s Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe said the government views the development “with serious concern, given its potential economic implications on trade, investment, tourism and people-to-people exchanges”.
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He added that the financial requirement could disproportionately impact lower- and middle-income travellers, while leaving wealthier applicants relatively unaffected.
Malawi has also voiced similar objections as both nations are pursuing diplomatic channels to seek either an exemption or a review of the policy.
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The visa bond program forms part of a broader set of Trump-era immigration restrictions that have affected multiple African countries.
These include the 2020 expansion of the U.S. travel ban to nations such as Nigeria, Eritrea, Sudan, and Tanzania, as well as stricter vetting procedures for students and temporary workers.
While U.S. authorities emphasise that the bond is refundable if travellers comply with visa conditions, African governments and human rights groups have criticised the policy as discriminatory and damaging to bilateral relations.
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