Countries Introduce Initial $15,000 Bond for US Visas
The United States has announced a new policy requiring tourists from Malawi and Zambia to pay visa bonds of up to $15,000 before entering the country, effective from August 20. This move is aimed at deterring visa overstays and enforcing immigration laws more strictly.
According to data from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Malawi and Zambia had high rates of visa overstays, with 14.3% and 11.1% respectively, although the actual number of overstays was relatively small. Only 237 of the 1,655 Malawian visitors and 388 of the 3,493 Zambian visitors overstayed their visas in the US.
The visa bond system is part of a 12-month pilot program. The money paid as a visa bond will be refunded if the visitor leaves the US on time, or if the visa is cancelled, unused, or the entry is denied. If a visitor overstays their visa or applies for asylum or other immigration programs while in the country, the federal government will retain the funds.
The policy has been met with criticism, with critics arguing that a $5,000–$15,000 upfront bond is a substantial liquidity barrier that may effectively block legitimate tourists and business travelers, especially from lower-income applicants or small employers who cannot advance large sums. Some also question the effectiveness of the visa bond system, as past guidance and some DHS offices have described immigration bonds as "cumbersome" and "not effective guarantees of departure."
The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) described the visa bond system as a "legalized shakedown," with CAIR's Government Affairs Director, Robert McCaw, stating that the policy is not about national security, but about extorting vulnerable visitors, punishing disfavored countries, and turning America's welcome mat into a paywall.
It is important to note that the policy of requiring visa bonds from Malawian and Zambian tourists is not yet in effect for visitors from Brazil and Colombia, where tens of thousands of visitors overstayed their visas.
The visa bond system has been condemned as unjust and discriminatory by critics. However, the State Department maintains that the bond requirement is intended to reduce visa overstays and to provide a financial guarantee that applicants will depart the United States on time. The Department reserves the right to add countries with 15 days’ notice, signaling the rule is both experimental and expandable if the Department judges it necessary.
- Critics argue that the visa bond system, which demands up to $15,000 from specific tourists before entry, could potentially block legitimate business travelers and tourists, particularly those from lower-income backgrounds or small employers who may struggle to advance such large sums.
- The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) has referred to the visa bond system as a "legalized shakedown," asserting that it is not a matter of national security but an attempt to extort vulnerable visitors, punish disfavored countries, and essentially turn America's welcome mat into a paywall.
