The United States has launched a new Visa Bond Pilot Program that changes how short-term visitors from Malawi and Zambia travel on B-1/B-2 visas. Effective August 20, 2025, consular officers will issue single-entry B-1/B-2 visas valid for 3 months to most applicants from these two countries, with a maximum stay of 30 days per visit. Travelers must also post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, set during the visa interview and returned if they depart on time. Entry and exit must occur through Boston Logan (BOS), New York JFK (JFK), or Washington Dulles (IAD). The pilot runs until August 5, 2026.
Importantly, this program does not affect F (students), J (exchange visitors), or I (media) visa holders, and there is no new cap on how long those groups may stay.
Why the pilot exists and what it changes
U.S. officials say the pilot responds to high overstay rates and aims to boost compliance for short visits. Normally, a B-1/B-2 visa often allows stays up to six months (sometimes less), depending on the case. Under the pilot:
- B-1/B-2 visitors from Malawi and Zambia face a 30-day limit per trip.
- Visas are single-entry and valid for three months from issuance.
- A refundable bond—$5,000, $10,000, or $15,000—is required, determined at the visa interview.
- Travelers must enter and exit via BOS, JFK, or IAD.
The goal is tighter control of short visits without permanently changing global visitor rules.
Officials also stress that rumors about a new rule limiting stays for F, J, or I visas are false. As of late August 2025, there is no finalized or implemented policy capping the stay periods for those categories.
Key details of the Visa Bond Pilot Program
- Pilot period: August 20, 2025 through August 5, 2026
- Visa type issued: Single-entry B-1/B-2, valid for 3 months
- Maximum stay per visit: 30 days
- Bond amount: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 (decided during visa interview)
- Ports of entry/exit required: Boston Logan (BOS), New York JFK (JFK), Washington Dulles (IAD)
The bond is refunded if the traveler departs on time and meets admission conditions. If a trip requires multiple entries, a new visa application is necessary because the pilot issues single-entry documents.
Practical impacts for travelers and families
The bond and 30-day limit affect real planning and budgets:
- Small business owners or families must hold large sums (e.g., $5,000) until departure, even for short visits.
- Events such as funerals or brief business trips now carry extra financial and logistical burdens.
- The reduced stay removes flexibility for multi-state visits, extended delays, or multiple short entries on the same visa.
Typical consequences include rescheduling, compressed agendas, increased remote alternatives, or applying for another visa for a return trip.
Recommended steps for affected travelers
- Book round-trip tickets and keep proof of exit (boarding passes).
- Keep a record of the bond payment and refund instructions.
- Ensure entry and departure are only through BOS, JFK, or IAD.
- Plan to finish all meetings and visits well within 30 days.
- If a second trip is needed, apply again for a new visa (single-entry rule).
If a traveler overstays or violates entry terms, the bond may be forfeited and future visas could be harder to obtain.
What did NOT change: F, J, and I visa holders
Students, exchange visitors, and accredited media are not affected by this pilot:
- No new cap on stays for F-1, J-1, or I visa holders.
- These categories continue to be admitted for duration of status (D/S), provided they follow program rules and reporting requirements.
- A 2020 proposal to replace D/S with fixed terms was withdrawn in 2021; no new replacement has been implemented as of August 2025.
Other 2025 policy changes to watch
- June 9, 2025: An executive order imposed entry limits on citizens of 19 countries. For seven countries—Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela—there are partial restrictions on new B-1/B-2, F, and J visas unless exemptions apply. This affects visa eligibility for new applicants, not the length of stay of current F, J, or I holders.
- September 2, 2025: Most applicants for nonimmigrant visas (including F, J, I) will require in-person interviews, except for limited renewal exceptions. Expect longer scheduling times at some embassies and consulates.
Students, scholars, and media organizations should plan extra time for visa processing and consult their school’s international office or employer.
How analysts see the pilot and next steps
According to VisaVerge.com, the pilot’s narrow design suggests a measured, data-driven approach focused on overstay risk rather than a broad rewrite of visitor policy. Data gathered between August 2025 and August 2026 will inform whether the program is ended, extended, narrowed, or expanded.
For now, only Malawi and Zambia are subject to the bond and 30-day limit.
Official guidance and avoiding misinformation
To confirm rules that apply to your case, review official guidance from the U.S. Department of State — U.S. Visas:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html.
Be cautious with social media claims that overreach the pilot’s scope. The key clarifications:
- The Visa Bond Pilot Program applies only to B-1/B-2 travelers from Malawi and Zambia.
- F, J, and I visa categories are not part of this pilot and have no new stay cap.
- The June executive order affects visa eligibility for certain countries, not the stay length of current F, J, or I visa holders.
Real-world effects and closing takeaways
These changes alter family decisions, business travel logistics, and institutional planning:
- Families might delay visits to avoid bond costs.
- Colleges benefit from preserved D/S rules for long academic programs.
- Newsrooms and employers should build extra time into assignment planning.
The main takeaways are simple and critical:
- B-1/B-2 visitors from Malawi and Zambia face a 30-day limit, single-entry visas, a bond of $5,000–$15,000, and must use BOS, JFK, or IAD.
- The pilot ends August 5, 2026, unless extended.
- There is no new U.S. rule capping the stay of F, J, or I visa holders.
Plan carefully, keep documentation, and follow official channels for updates.
This Article in a Nutshell
The United States instituted a Visa Bond Pilot Program for B-1/B-2 visitors from Malawi and Zambia from August 20, 2025 to August 5, 2026. Consular posts will issue single-entry B-1/B-2 visas valid for three months, limit each visit to 30 days, and require a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 set at the interview and returned if travelers depart on time. Entry and exit are restricted to BOS, JFK, or IAD. The pilot aims to reduce overstay rates and enhance compliance for short visits. It explicitly does not change rules for F, J, or I visa holders, who continue under duration of status. Travelers should prepare round-trip proof, bond documentation, and plan within the 30-day limit; data from the pilot will inform future policy decisions.
