Lilongwe, Malawi – A new $15,000 visa bond requirement imposed by the United States is effectively barring many Malawians from pursuing educational and economic opportunities in the US, sparking widespread frustration and accusations of discrimination. the policy, enacted earlier this year, requires most Malawian applicants for B-1/B-2 temporary visitor visas to post the bond, intended to ensure they return home after their visit. Critics call it a “de facto ban” disproportionately impacting citizens of one of the world’s poorest nations.
Abraham Samson,a Malawian student who applied for US scholarships prior to the bond’s announcement,expressed despair. “This move has shattered the plans most Malawians had to travel,” he said. “With our economy, not everyone can manage this. For those of us chasing further studies, these dreams are now a mirage.” samson has ceased checking his email for scholarship notifications, believing the financial burden of studying in the US is now insurmountable.
The bond adds to existing hurdles for Malawian applicants, who already face scrutiny under Section 214(b) of US immigration law, which presumes intent to immigrate unless applicants demonstrate strong ties to their home country. the new requirement demands proof of both return intent and access to considerable wealth.
The impact extends beyond students. A Lilongwe-based businessman, who requested anonymity, stated the bond has disrupted his ability to source electronics directly from US suppliers, forcing him to rely on more expensive middlemen. “Every delay eats away at my margins,” he said. “My six employees rely on me.If I can’t travel, I may have to send them home.”
Civil society groups are mobilizing against the policy, documenting affected individuals’ stories and lobbying both Malawian and international officials. “We refuse to let this issue quietly extinguish the hopes of Malawian youth,” said a representative from one such group.
The story echoes in villages like Chunda’s,where a scholarship to the University of dayton remains unused. “I thought life was about to change for the first time,” he lamented. “for my entire family, not just myself. I now have to look elsewhere to realise my dream.”
The policy is a collaboration with Egab.
