The U.S. State Department will launch a one-year “visa bond” pilot program starting August 20th, requiring certain B‑1 (business) and B‑2 (tourist) visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, determined at their visa interview.
The pilot applies to nationals of the two countries based on the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2023 overstay rate report, which showed Malawi with approximately 14.3% and Zambia at 11.1% overstay rate. If travelers comply with visa terms and depart on time via designated airports (Boston Logan, JFK, or Washington Dulles), the bond is fully refunded.
Applicants must only submit DHS Form I‑352 after a consular officer directs them, and payment must be made via the U.S. Government’s Pay.gov platform. Opponents have raised concerns that the bond effectively imposes a financial barrier—especially in low‑income countries where average annual incomes are well below $2,000—and argue it unfairly targets travelers based on nationality rather than individual risk assessments.
The pilot reflects a broadening of immigration enforcement tools, and while it initially affects only Malawi and Zambia, the list of covered countries may expand during the 12‑month program.
Travelers from affected countries should confirm current requirements with their U.S. embassy or consulate before applying.
