The United States will require a visa bond from certain travelers from Malawi and Zambia starting August 20, 2025, under a new 12‑month pilot by the Department of State. The measure targets B-1/B-2 applicants and aims to cut short-term visa overstays.
Consular officers will set bonds between $5,000 and $15,000, with a default at $10,000. The bond is refundable if the traveler leaves on time or properly extends status. Visas will be single entry, valid three months, with typical stays capped at 30 days.
Who is covered and when it applies
- Countries affected: Malawi and Zambia only at launch.
- Timeline: August 20, 2025 to August 5, 2026.
- Possible expansion: The State Department may add more countries with at least 15 days’ notice.
- Visa types: B-1/B-2 visitors for business or tourism.
Why Malawi and Zambia
Officials pointed to high FY 2023 overstay rates: about 14% for Malawi and 10% for Zambia. The government says a refundable visa bond creates a strong incentive to depart on time. The goal is to improve compliance without fully closing doors to short visits.
How the bond works
- Amount: $5,000–$15,000 (default $10,000).
- Payment timing: After visa approval but before issuance, through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov using Form I-352.
- Refund: Automatic cancellation and refund after confirmed departure from a designated airport with automated exit checks.
- Legal basis: Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act allows a bond as a condition of visa issuance.
Travel conditions and limits
- Visa validity: Three months, single entry.
- Typical admission: Up to 30 days by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
- Airports: Entry and departure must be through specific U.S. airports with automated departure confirmation, including Boston Logan (BOS), JFK, and Washington Dulles (IAD).
What applicants should expect at the consulate
Consular officers will review each case and decide if a bond is required and how much. Factors can include:
- Travel purpose
- Ties to home country
- Prior U.S. travel history
If a bond is required, the officer will issue instructions for payment before the visa can be printed.
Payment steps and official links
- You’ll receive instructions to post the bond via Pay.gov using the Department of Homeland Security’s surety process.
- The form is Form I-352 (Immigration Bond): https://www.uscis.gov/archive/archive-forms/form-i-352-immigration-bond
- For program details, see the Federal Register notice (90 FR 37378, Aug. 5, 2025).
- General visa policy and announcements appear on the State Department’s U.S. Visas site; refer to the Federal Register for the official program text.
Key implications for Malawian and Zambian travelers
- Higher upfront costs: Travelers or employers must set aside thousands of dollars before a trip.
- Shorter trips: 30-day stays reduce flexibility for business and family visits.
- Stricter planning: Book flights through approved airports and keep careful records to ensure timely bond refunds.
- Refund depends on compliance: Late departures, overstays, or exits through non-designated airports can delay or block refunds.
What if you need more time in the U.S.?
If you must stay longer than the period granted at entry:
- File a timely extension request with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before your I-94 expires.
- If USCIS approves the extension, or you depart on time after a pending request, you remain eligible for a bond refund.
- Keep proof of filing and decisions to help match your case with exit records.
For official guidance on B-1/B-2 rules and length of stay: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html
Why a bond now?
The bond concept first surfaced in 2020 during President Trump’s term but stalled amid the pandemic. The 2025 pilot revives it to test whether financial security improves short-term visa compliance. Officials say the bond is one part of wider enforcement efforts, separate from the new $250 visa integrity fee and expanded social media checks for some student applicants.
Possible expansion during the pilot
The State Department can add countries with 15 days’ notice if data show high overstay risk. That means other nationals aren’t affected today, but the list may grow. Business groups, student advocates, and affected governments are watching how the policy performs and whether it spreads.
How the refund works in practice
- Depart from a designated airport where exit is recorded automatically.
- Keep boarding passes and passport stamps until the refund posts.
- Refund timelines may vary, but the bond should cancel automatically after verified departure.
- If records don’t match, you may need to provide proof of timely exit to the contact listed in your bond receipt.
Voices from the ground
“I can afford the bond, but tying up $10,000 changes cash flow for my company,” said a Malawian business owner planning a two‑week machinery trip.
An immigration lawyer added, “The key is clear instructions at the window. If travelers follow the airport and timing rules, refunds should be smooth.”
VisaVerge.com advises applicants to double-check airport eligibility before booking tickets to avoid refund delays.
What employers can do
- Budget for bond advances for employees on short U.S. trips.
- Build in extra time for consular processing and bond payment.
- Standardize compliance steps: approved airport lists, departure reminders, and document checklists.
- Track refunds to reconcile company accounts and spot delays early.
Practical checklist for applicants
- Bring strong proof of ties to Malawi: job letters, business registration, family documents, and property records.
- Prepare a simple trip plan: dates, cities, meetings, hotel bookings.
- If told to post a bond, pay quickly through the official channel and keep the receipt.
- Book round-trip tickets through listed airports.
- Leave on time. If plans change, consult counsel about filing a timely extension.
- Save all travel records until your bond refund arrives.
Risks and common mistakes
- Exiting through a non-designated airport can block automated refund.
- Cutting it close on the last day risks flight delays turning into a late departure.
- Assuming multiple entries: these visas are single entry for the pilot, so a second trip requires a new visa and possibly another bond.
What success looks like for the pilot
Officials will review overstay rates, refund performance, and processing times. If overstay rates drop and refunds run smoothly, the bond could become a regular tool. If the program proves costly or confusing, authorities may scale it back.
Where to get official updates
- The Federal Register notice governs the pilot.
- Check the State Department’s announcements and country-specific visa pages for changes, including added countries or airport lists.
- Always rely on original government sources for the latest rules.
Bottom line for Malawi: the policy is narrow for now. It affects Malawian and Zambian B-1/B-2 travelers during a defined period. A refundable bond adds cost and planning, but it does not close the door to short visits. Careful preparation—especially around airport choices, trip length, and on-time departure—will protect both travel plans and your refund.
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