citizens of Malawi and Zambia applying for B‑1 (business) or B‑2 (tourist) visas to visit the United States may be required to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, depending on the consular officer’s evaluation during the visa interview .
This bond requirement is part of a 12‑month pilot initiative aimed at countries with historically high visa overstay rates, limited vetting practices, or citizenship-by-investment programs. If the traveler complies with all visa conditions—arriving and departing within the authorized stay—the bond is returned in full .
The program specifically targets B‑1/B‑2 visas and excludes others like student (F), work (H), or visitor waiver travelers . Applicants are required to use one of three designated U.S. airports—Boston Logan, JFK (New York), or Dulles (Washington)—for entry and departure. Failure to do so may result in denial of entry or forfeiture of the bond .
Visas issued under this program will have a validity of up to three months and allow for single entry only. Moreover, the Department of Homeland Security may restrict the length of stay to 30 days, depending on case specifics .
An estimated 2,000 travelers are expected to be affected during this pilot phase, which will run until August 6, 2026. If successful, the program may expand to include more countries in the future, with updates communicated at least 15 days prior to implementation .
The bond is paid using DHS Form I‑352 through the official U.S. Treasury payment portal (pay.gov). Applicants must wait for instruction from a consular officer before initiating payment. Payments made without instruction may not be refunded .
Failure to comply with visa conditions—such as overstaying or applying for asylum—will be considered a breach and result in forfeiture of the bond. The applicant has the right to appeal any breach determination under established DHS procedures .
The pilot program reflects ongoing efforts to improve immigration compliance and discourage visa abuse. Exemptions may be granted in limited cases—such as urgent humanitarian travel or U.S. government missions where bond requirements may be waived by consular officers .
