U.S. Visa Bond Requirement for Malawi and Zambia

Key Point  

• Beginning August 20, 2025, B1/B2 visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia must pay a refundable bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 due to elevated overstay rates 

Visa Bond Enforcement for High-Risk Countries 

The U.S. Department of State has announced that, effective August 20, 2025, nationals of Malawi and Zambia applying for B1/B2 visitor visas will be subject to a visa bond requirement. This policy mandates that applicants post a bond between $5,000 and $15,000 as a condition of visa issuance. 

The State Department aims to deter visa overstays by requiring a bond, which it will refund only if the traveler follows visa terms and leaves the U.S. on time. This measure, part of the Visa Bond Pilot Program, supports efforts to reduce high overstay rates in select countries.

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