USA Imposes K26 million Visa Bond Requirement on Malawians Under New Pilot Program

The United States government has announced that Malawian citizens will now be required to pay visa bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 (approximately K8.7 million to K26 million) when applying for a B1/B2 visitor visa, under a newly introduced pilot program.

According to a statement released today on the U.S. Department of State’s official website, the visa bond policy will take effect on 20 August 2025, and will also apply to Zambian nationals.

The statement explains that the bond amount will be determined during the visa interview, and is aimed at discouraging visa overstays, which U.S. authorities say are common among nationals from certain countries, including Malawi.

“Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond in amounts of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, determined at time of visa interview,” reads part of the announcement.

The B1/B2 visa is typically issued for short-term business or tourism visits to the United States.

The pilot program is part of broader efforts by the U.S. to enforce immigration laws and reduce visa violations, particularly involving visitors who fail to return home after their authorized stay expires.

The statement did not indicate how long the pilot program will last, but its implementation marks a significant change in U.S. visa policy for Malawians.