Zambia and Malawi Tourists to Face $15,000 Visa Bonds Under New U.S. Travel Rules

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Chief Editor
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26
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In a sweeping immigration policy shift, the United States has announced that tourists from Zambia and Malawi will be the first to face mandatory visa bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for U.S. visitor visas, according to a statement released by the U.S. Department of State.

The controversial policy, set to take effect on August 20, 2025, requires B1/B2 visa applicants from the two African nations to post refundable bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 at the time of their visa interview. The exact amount will be determined by consular officers based on individual cases.

The funds will be returned if the applicant leaves the U.S. on time or if the visa is denied or canceled before travel. However, the U.S. government will retain the bond if the individual overstays, seeks asylum, or violates the terms of their stay.

This move revives a 2020 policy proposed by former President Donald Trump but never enforced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Now in his second term, Trump is intensifying his hardline stance on immigration, citing the need to address high overstay rates and improve screening from certain nations.

“This targeted, common-sense measure reinforces the administration’s commitment to U.S. immigration law while deterring visa overstays,” said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce.

A spokesperson added that the bond requirement is aimed at countries with “high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, and foreign policy considerations.” More countries are expected to be added to the list as the pilot program expands.

Implications for Travelers from Malawi and Zambia
The announcement has drawn concern from immigration experts, diplomats, and travelers alike. While the bond is technically refundable, critics argue it creates a significant financial barrier for legitimate tourists and families.

High upfront cost: Many potential visitors may struggle to raise $15,000 in advance, even if the funds are later returned.

Limited flexibility: The visa comes with a single-entry and a maximum 30-day stay, making it unsuitable for extended visits or emergencies.

Complex logistics: Travelers must navigate a bond posting system, departure compliance tracking, and refund procedures, with any errors risking forfeiture.

“This program could unintentionally punish honest visitors from lower-income backgrounds while doing little to curb actual visa violations,” said one immigration attorney.

The private sector is also sounding alarms. Companies that depend on international travel for meetings, partnerships, and technical training fear operational disruptions.

“Business travel from Zambia and Malawi will become more difficult,” said a trade consultant. “These rules could push companies to move their meetings or investments elsewhere.”

Tourism operators in the U.S. also worry the policy will drive away much-needed visitors, especially from Africa, a region where U.S. tourism is trying to gain ground.

As the world watches how this visa bond experiment unfolds, one thing is clear: U.S. immigration remains on a path of increasing scrutiny, with growing costs and complexity for many would-be visitors.

26 COMMENTS

    • Like a villager who visits a relative in the city would try by all means not to return to his roots, most Zambian who overstay on their visas have a motive. Legal visitors beçome untraceable in the USA, convert to undocumented persons with hopes that one day they may get legalized one way or the other. America is our city, the land of plentiful opportunities to which all villagers world over, especially impoverished Africa, flock to. The American dream slogan as seen by Luther still hovers in the sky. From now on, let’s show empathy to our village relatives when they visit us. All they seek is a Zambian dream without needing a visa. Care for them like you want to be cared for.

    • Those of you who are crying and saying we should reciprocate have yet to understand how the world operates.

      First ask yourself if the two nations which country needs the other more? From the mere fact we were hard hit when USAID withdrew it’s funding shows we are more dependant on America than vice versa.

      If we are to make it difficult for Americans to come to Zambia where they will spend USDs, create business partnerships, indirectly market Zambia as a good investment destination then who losses?

      You would have to be beyond naive to think we are equal partners with the world’s most powerful nation!

      Zambia needs USA than vice versa and let us keep good relations with them at all costs! No reciprocation!!!

    • First ask yourself of the two nations which country needs the other more? From the mere fact we were hard hit when USAID withdrew it’s funding shows we are more dependant on America than vice versa.

      If we are to make it difficult for Americans to come to Zambia where they will spend USDs, create business partnerships, indirectly market Zambia as a good investment destination then who losses more, the US would not lose any sleep should we do so, 99.9 percent of Americans don’t even know about Zambia.

      You would have to be beyond naive to think we are equal partners with the world’s most powerful nation!

      Zambia needs USA more than vice versa and let us keep good relations with them at all costs! No reciprocation!

  3. Why does this apply to these Two
    Countries only?Is it people from
    These two countries only who overstay when they go?

    • How many Zambians travel to USA in year?Just a few.It means a lot of people who have traveled using the Zambian passport are not infact Zambians.Where does these numbers come from? Imagine a small country like Zambia with a population of 20 million people?Countries like Nigeria is having 450 million…Someting is not adding up

    • Give us the figures we help you with 1+1. We know how to add up and subtract down, than let you bring along conspiracy theories here.

  5. How dare you!

    Canada was slapped on one cheek with 25 p c tariffs. When they resisted another 35% was added. On the other cheek!
    Choice is ours, either we back down or, with consequences, we escalate. Besides, whoever refuses to pay this bond amount may be misconstrued.

  8. The reasons for the fees are to reduce: bad screening and vetting procedures (corruption), overstays, and immigration enforcement troubles. At 14.4% Malawi has the highest overstays, where from 1,665 visits, 237 left USA late for Malawi. As for Zambia (at 10.5%), with 3,493 visitors, 388 came home late. Let the embassy as a pilot project impose these fees perhaps it will ease corruption at these centres.

  9. As Zambians all those traveling are to use only three designated airports. And from the 3 given, one can not fly in at A airport and attempt to depart from B airport. No. Otherwise, you will be deemed to have overstayed.

  10. Just stay home for 4 years or go to other places. As it is flights are expensive to the USA. Unfortunately we cannot reciprocate because the only reason Americans come here is for tourism and vic falls. If we bar them Zimbabwe will be happy to accomodate them.

  13. Just make entry to the Ibex Hill area $100 per day for the 1000s of US Embassy people who apparently “work” there

  14. I doubt it if that should concern Zambians or if it is related to our own corruption that has given rise to the US new policy direction. Let’s cleanse our house. Francophillic or pedophilic tendencies are not for us to be troubled about. Is it even our country. Oh no, it is not!

  15. These travel rules must now open our eyes, there could be some bad apples at home affairs. I believe there’s a lot of foreigners that have been corruptly issued with travel documents and now we’re paying the price.

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