US Imposes $15,000 Visa Bond on Citizens of Malawi, Zambia Over Overstay Concerns

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The United States Department of State has announced a new visa policy requiring citizens of Malawi and Zambia to pay tourist visa bonds of up to $15,000 before visiting the country.

This policy, scheduled to take effect on August 20, 2025, targets applicants for B1/B2 visas—issued for business and tourism—based on the two countries’ high visa overstay rates as documented in the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2023 Overstay Report.

According to an official document published Tuesday on the US State Department website, citizens of Malawi and Zambia deemed eligible for B1/B2 visas will now be required to pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on a determination made during their visa interview.

Applicants must also complete and submit Form I-352, a Department of Homeland Security bond agreement, and make the payment through the US Department of the Treasury’s online platform.

“This requirement applies regardless of where the application is submitted,” the document emphasized.

The bond policy is part of a broader strategy by US immigration authorities to reduce visa overstays, especially by nationals from countries with historically high non-compliance rates.

Previously, there had been reports that the US planned to expand the visa bond requirement to several countries, including Nigeria. However, Malawi and Zambia are now the first African countries officially listed under the new enforcement measure.