Zambia’s government has expressed serious concern about a new U.S. policy requiring its citizens to pay bonds of up to $15,000 to obtain certain types of U.S. visas. Officials warned that the rule would impose an "unnecessary financial strain" on Zambian nationals and could negatively affect trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

Details of the New U.S. Visa Bond Program

Starting August 20, the U.S. administration under President Donald Trump will implement a pilot program mandating visa applicants from countries with high visa overstay rates including Zambia and neighboring Malawi — to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. This applies to certain tourist and business visas.

The bond will be refunded if applicants comply with visa terms and leave the U.S. within the permitted time frame. However, the high bond amount remains a significant barrier, particularly given Zambia’s average household income is approximately $150 per month.

Economic and Social Implications for Zambia

Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe stated that while the U.S. government has the right to make policy changes, the financial burden placed on Zambian citizens is excessive and risks harming bilateral relations. Analysts and former diplomats echoed these concerns, highlighting the bond’s disproportionate cost relative to local living standards.

Anthony Mukwita, a former Zambian diplomat, criticized the policy on social media, noting that the money could fund vital local infrastructure like clean water projects, rather than serving as a costly “entry fee” for an increasingly elusive American dream.

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Regional Reactions and Diplomatic Engagements

In Malawi, Foreign Minister Nancy Tembo met with a U.S. embassy delegation to discuss the policy’s potential impact. The Malawian Foreign Ministry expressed worries about how the bond could affect law-abiding travelers and broader diplomatic ties between the two countries.

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