US Introduces Visa Bond Pilot Program for Tourists

Zambia and Malawi First Nations Affected by New Financial Requirement

The U.S. Department of State has initiated a new policy requiring certain foreign nationals to post substantial financial bonds when applying for tourist visas. This measure, aimed at deterring visa overstays, initially targets citizens of Zambia and Malawi.

New Bond Policy Targets Overstay Rates

Starting August 20, tourists from Zambia and Malawi may face bond requirements ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. This sum is refundable if the visitor departs the U.S. by the visa’s expiration date, or if the visa is canceled or travel does not occur. However, the bond is forfeited if the individual overstays their visa or seeks immigration benefits within the U.S.

State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated, “This targeted, common-sense measure reinforces the administration’s commitment to U.S. immigration law while deterring visa overstays.”

Administration’s Hardline Immigration Stance

This policy aligns with President Donald Trump‘s second term, marked by a stringent approach to immigration. An executive order signed on his first day back in office, titled “Protecting the American People Against Invasion,” cited an “unprecedented flood of illegal immigration” as justification for forcefully executing immigration laws. The visa bond program is a direct outcome of this directive.

NEW: The US is rolling out a pilot program for visa bonds, requiring some tourists to pay up to $15,000. https://t.co/u87n5z5Yt4 pic.twitter.com/gQ74bWfXq3

— Al Jazeera English (@ajenglish) August 4, 2025

Visa Overstay Data and Criticisms

The pilot program, scheduled for 12 months, is detailed in a filing to the Federal Register. The Department of Homeland Security’s most recent report from 2024 indicated 565,155 visa overstays in fiscal year 2023, representing 1.45% of non-immigrant admissions. The report highlighted that 98.55% of visitors departed on time.

However, the report also noted that Malawi and Zambia had significantly higher overstay rates at 14.3% and 11.1%, respectively. Despite these figures, the absolute number of overstays from these two nations is comparatively small. In fiscal year 2023, only 1,655 individuals arrived from Malawi, with 237 overstaying, and 3,493 from Zambia, with 388 overstaying. These numbers are far lower than those from countries like Brazil (20,811 overstays) or Colombia (40,884 overstays).

Critics argue the bonds disproportionately affect citizens of lower-income countries. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned the scheme as discriminatory and exploitative, calling it a “legalised shakedown.”

“This is not about national security. It’s about weaponizing immigration policy to extort vulnerable visitors, punish disfavored countries, and turn America’s welcome mat into a paywall.”

—Robert McCaw, Government Affairs Director, CAIR

Citizens of countries participating in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program are exempt from these new bond requirements.