(MALAWI) The United States 🇺🇸 has begun a 12-month pilot that requires some Malawian and Zambian travelers to post a refundable visa bond before receiving a B-1/B-2 visa, a move officials say is aimed at reducing short-term visitor overstays. The policy took effect on August 20, 2025, and covers certain applicants seeking business or tourist travel to the U.S. from Malawi and Zambia. The bond—set at $5,000, $10,000, or up to $15,000—is chosen by consular officers case by case, with a default amount generally $10,000.
According to the Department of State, the pilot targets countries with historically higher overstay rates and limited screening tools, and is not a blanket rule for all applicants.
How the Program Works
A consular officer first makes a bond determination during the visa interview. If a bond is required, the officer will refuse the visa under section INA 221(g) and provide written instructions to post the bond within 30 days.
Payment is made through Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury’s official online portal, only after the applicant receives specific directions. Once the bond is paid, the visa can be issued. Late payment can force a fresh interview, adding time and cost.
Visas issued with a bond carry tighter limits than standard visitor visas:
- Single-entry only.
- Valid for three months after issuance.
- Authorized stay on each visit will not exceed 30 days.
- Entry and exit must occur through designated airports: Boston Logan (BOS), New York JFK (JFK), and Washington Dulles (IAD).
Officials say this targeted routing supports compliance checks during the pilot.
The bond is described as fully refundable if the traveler follows all rules, including departing on time or filing a timely request to extend or change status.
If someone files a timely request to extend or change their status, the bond should remain safe while U.S. immigration decides the request. However, violating the terms—such as overstaying or entering through a non-designated airport—may lead to losing the bond and possible immigration penalties.
Policy Details and Compliance Steps
- Bond amounts: $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, based on risk profile and ability to pay. Default often $10,000.
- Posting process: Via Pay.gov only after a consular officer issues written instructions following a 221(g) refusal.
- Visa validity: Single-entry, valid for three months; maximum stay 30 days.
- Designated ports: BOS, JFK, IAD for both arrival and departure.
- Refundability: Bond is refundable if traveler departs on time or files a timely extension/change of status.
- Interview timeline: If the bond is not posted within 30 days, applicants may need a new interview.
Background and Policy Context
The State Department says the program revives a rule first advanced under President Trump in 2020 but delayed amid the pandemic. It arrives as the Department of Homeland Security reported more than 500,000 suspected overstays in 2023.
While the government frames the pilot as data-driven, critics argue it raises steep financial barriers for families, entrepreneurs, and community travelers in Malawi and Zambia. VisaVerge.com reports advocates worry the policy could suppress legitimate travel and small-business ties, even as it targets a subset of applicants based on risk.
Steps Applicants Still Must Follow
Applicants still follow standard steps for a B-1/B-2 visa, including completing the online application and attending an in-person interview. The State Department maintains general guidance for visitor visas at Visitor Visa (B).
If you mention or use forms, use the official versions:
- Complete Form DS-160 online: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-160).
- If you later need to extend or change status after entry, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services typically requires Form I-539: Form I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. A timely filing helps preserve bond eligibility.
Impact on Applicants
For many would-be visitors, the biggest shock is the size of the visa bond. A $10,000 default, with potential increases to $15,000, is a significant sum in Malawi and Zambia.
Travel implications and practical burdens:
- Travelers may need short-term financing or community support to post bonds after a 221(g) refusal.
- Small business owners dependent on U.S. meetings may face delays while gathering bond funds.
- First-time travelers are more likely to face the officer’s default bond amount.
- A single-entry visa with a three-month validity window leaves little margin for trip changes or medical emergencies.
- Restricting entry to BOS, JFK, and IAD complicates routing and can increase costs if one relies on other hub connections.
- Missed flights or weather disruptions could force costly rebooking to meet designated-airport requirements and the short travel window.
At the same time, a full refund is a real incentive:
- Families who plan carefully—booking return flights within the 30-day stay, using designated ports, and keeping travel records—should retrieve their bond after departure.
- Those needing to stay longer can protect the bond by filing a timely Form I-539 to extend or change status. Keep proof of filing (USCIS receipt) in case a refund review is needed.
Analysis and Potential Outcomes
According to VisaVerge.com, reviving the policy under President Biden reflects the long-running tension between visitor access and overstay enforcement. Although limited to Malawi and Zambia, observers will watch whether bond-backed entries show lower overstay rates without sharply reducing legitimate travel.
Possible consequences:
- If the pilot is successful (fewer overstays, limited harm to lawful travel), officials could consider extensions or broader application.
- If the pilot proves too burdensome, it could be scaled back after the 12-month period.
Practical Advice for Travelers
Travelers can take practical steps now to reduce risk and safeguard the bond:
- Arrive to your interview prepared:
- Explain your travel plan clearly.
- Show strong ties to home (employment, property, family).
- Provide proof of funds.
- If instructed to post a bond:
- Pay through Pay.gov promptly to avoid a new interview.
- Book flights to and from BOS, JFK, or IAD and keep boarding passes and passport stamps.
- Depart on time. If plans change, file the appropriate USCIS request before your I-94 expires.
- Keep records: travel itinerary, tickets, boarding passes, and USCIS receipt notices.
For many applicants, the bond will feel heavy. But strict planning—matching itineraries to the 30-day stay, keeping documents in order, and following the officer’s instructions—can protect both your trip and your refund.
Critics remain concerned about the financial strain. Supporters say the bond targets risk, not nationality alone, and returns the money for those who follow the rules. The pilot’s real test will be whether it discourages overstays without closing doors to lawful short-term travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Article in a Nutshell
On August 20, 2025, the U.S. implemented a 12-month pilot requiring refundable visa bonds for certain B-1/B-2 applicants from Malawi and Zambia to reduce short-term visitor overstays. Consular officers determine bond requirements during interviews and may refuse visas under INA 221(g), giving applicants 30 days to post bonds via Pay.gov. Bonds range from $5,000 to $15,000, with $10,000 often used as the default. Visa terms under the pilot are single-entry, valid for three months, and limit authorized stays to 30 days; travel must use BOS, JFK, or IAD. Bonds are refundable if travelers comply or file timely I-539 requests; violations risk forfeiture and immigration penalties. The measure revives a prior proposal, responds to high overstay data, and has drawn criticism for imposing financial burdens while aiming to improve compliance. Observers will evaluate whether the pilot lowers overstays without unduly limiting legitimate travel.
