The United States is expanding its crackdown on immigration.
Donald Trump's administration will require visa applicants from Zambia and Malawi, two African countries, to pay bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas, the State Department stated.
Starting August 20, 2025, any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries who is found otherwise eligible for B-1 business and B-2 tourism visas for travel to the US must post a bond in amounts of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, determined at time of visa interview.
This requirement is part of a 12-month pilot program scheduled to begin on the said date. It will apply to nationals from certain foreign countries applying for B-1/B-2 visas to the United States. These visas usually allow for a maximum stay of six months, though extensions are permitted in some cases.
Immigration has been a key target of Trump’s administration, with Washington imposing a travel ban in June that fully or partially blocks nationals from 19 countries – the majority in Africa – from entering the US on security grounds. A State Department spokesperson on Monday said countries would be identified based on "high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, concerns regarding acquisition of citizenship by investment without a residency requirement, and foreign policy considerations".
"This requirement applies regardless of place of application", the department maintained, adding that "a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, and if any individual pays fees without being directed to do so by a consular officer, that money will not be returned".
FYI, the full visa bond amount will be returned to the applicant if he/she leaves the US within the allowed window of time in line with their visa and complies with all the terms of their visa status.
The State Department also explained that as a condition of the bond, all visa holders who have posted a visa bond must arrive and depart from the US via one of the ports of entry: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).
“Failure to do so may result in being denied entry or a departure not being appropriately registered”, the department insisted.
I'm sure more countries will be added onto the list.
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