US Demands $15,000 Visa Deposit from Africans: Is Your Country Next?
A New US Visa Rule Could Cost You a Fortune: What’s Really Going On?
In a controversial move, the United States has announced that citizens from Malawi and Zambia applying for a tourist or business visa may have to pay a steep deposit of up to $15,000. This new requirement is part of a one-year pilot program designed to tackle the issue of visitors overstaying their visas.
According to a notice from the US State Department, this program is being launched in countries with “high visa overstay rates” or where the government’s screening process is considered “deficient.” Officials have indicated that this policy could soon be expanded to include other nations as well. The deposit, which is meant to be a financial guarantee, will be fully refunded if the visitor leaves the US on time.
The new policy is a direct result of President Donald Trump’s ongoing efforts to tighten immigration laws. A State Department statement explains that consular officers now have the authority to demand a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 from applicants for B-1/B-2 visas. The specific amount will be determined by the consular officer during the visa interview.
Data from the US Department of Homeland Security shows that in 2023, approximately 14% of visitors from Malawi and 11% of visitors from Zambia overstayed their visas. While these figures are a factor, other countries like Haiti (31%), Myanmar (27%), and Yemen (20%) also have high overstay rates, suggesting they could be added to the program in the future.
This initiative is just the latest in a series of strict immigration policies introduced by the current administration. President Trump signed an executive order on his first day in office to pursue this agenda. Other measures have included restricting travel from certain countries, banning foreign nationals from 12 nations, and revoking visas for hundreds of international students.
Many of these visa cancellations have been linked to individuals involved in pro-Palestinian activities, which the State Department has labeled as “running counter” to US national interests. However, immigration lawyers have also noted that some revocations appear to be tied to minor legal infractions, such as traffic violations.
