Up to $15,000 US visa bond for applicants from two countries

US President Donald Trump's administration will require visa applicants from Zambia and Malawi, two African countries, to pay bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas, the State Department said.

"Starting August 20, 2025, 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," the State Department said.

This requirement is part of a pilot program scheduled to begin August 20 and last until August 5, 2026. It will apply to nationals from certain foreign countries applying for B-1 or B-2 visas for business or tourist travel to the United States. These visas usually allow for a maximum stay of six months, though extensions are permitted in some cases.

A State Department spokesperson on Monday said countries would be identified based on "high overstay rates, screening and vetting deficiencies, concerns regarding acquisition of citizenship by investment without a residency requirement, and foreign policy considerations."

The list of countries may be amended throughout the program, according to the notice.

"This requirement applies regardless of place of application," the State Department said, adding that "a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, and if any individual pays fees without being directed to do so by a consular officer, that money will not be returned".

The State Department also added that as a condition of the bond, all visa holders who have posted a visa bond must arrive and depart from the US via one of the ports of entry: Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

“Failure to do so may result in being denied entry or a departure not being appropriately registered,” the department said.

The full visa bond amount will be returned to the applicant if he/she complies with all the terms of the nonimmigrant visa status and with the terms of the visa bond, which are set out on the bond form. The bond will be cancelled and the bond money will be automatically returned if the visa holder departs from the US on or before the date to which he or she is authorized to remain in the country, or if the visa holder does not travel to the US before the expiration of the visa, or the visa holder applies for and is denied admission at the US port of entry.