The US State Department has launched a 12-month pilot initiative requiring visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia to pay a substantial security bond.
According to the department, the policy is designed to discourage visa overstays and is targeted at countries deemed to have high overstay rates or inadequate screening procedures.
This measure specifically applies to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visa categories. While the $15,000 (R277,500) bond is refundable, it presents a significant financial burden for applicants, especially in nations where the average annual income is a fraction of that amount.
A spokesperson for the State Department explained, “This is a targeted approach to encourage compliance with US immigration law. The bond will be returned after the visitor leaves the US within the permitted time frame.”
However, some experts warn the policy may disproportionately affect law-abiding travellers while doing little to resolve underlying visa processing challenges.
According to 2023 figures from the US Department of Homeland Security, approximately 14% of Malawian and 11% of Zambian visitors overstayed their visas.
While these numbers are concerning, they are far lower than those of other countries like Haiti (31%), Myanmar (27%) and Yemen (20%), prompting questions around the criteria for the pilot rollout.
Concerns for other African countries
Although South Africa is not yet affected by the bond requirement, concerns are mounting. “There is definitely anxiety that this policy could be expanded,” said one Cape Town-based immigration attorney.
“We’ve seen the US tighten entry requirements in waves, and South Africans should keep a close eye on how this unfolds.”
Historically, South African passport holders have enjoyed a relatively smooth visa process for the US, though approval has never been guaranteed.
While overstay rates for South African citizens are currently lower than those of Malawi and Zambia, changes in US immigration priorities could shift that balance.
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