The State Department announced Tuesday that Malawian and Zambian citizens must now pay a bond of up to $15,000 for business or tourist visas to the United States. This new requirement is part of a one-year pilot program that will take effect on August 20, aiming to reduce visa overstays.
The Trump administration is implementing this measure as it continues its broad crackdown on immigration and enforces stricter visa requirements for many countries.
If an applicant complies with all the terms of their visa, the significant bond funds will be returned to them upon their return. However, the funds will be forfeited if an applicant remains in the United States beyond their visa’s designated deadline.
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said this “targeted, common sense measure” reinforces the administration’s commitment to US immigration law while deterring visa overstays.
Washington initially announced the new measure on Monday but did not immediately identify which specific countries would be impacted by the new rule.
Malawi and Zambia are poor, landlocked southern African nations where only a small number of their citizens typically visit the United States annually.
US officials have said this pilot project is a key pillar of the administration’s foreign policy to protect against national security threats posed by visa overstays.
The Trump administration has implemented stricter visa requirements for many countries in recent months, with a particular focus on nations across the African continent.