U.S. to require $15,000 visa bonds for Malawian travelers under new pilot policy

The Trump administration will require some visa applicants from Malawi to pay bonds of up to $15,000 under a pilot program launching in two weeks. The move targets countries with high overstay rates and vetting deficiencies, according to the U.S. State Department.

Malawi is among several African nations flagged by U.S. Customs and Border Protection data for high overstay rates during fiscal year 2023, along with Burundi, Djibouti, and Togo.

Applicants who comply with the terms of their visa and depart the United States within the permitted timeframe will have their bond returned.

Outside the immigration headquarters in Blantyre, long queues formed as citizens expressed concern over the new policy. Many described the requirement as restrictive, warning that it could severely limit freedom of movement.

The initiative aligns with broader immigration restrictions imposed under President Donald Trump, who made border security and visa enforcement key elements of his administration. In June, Trump issued a travel ban affecting citizens of 19 countries, citing national security risks.

The U.S. also warned travelers from flagged countries that failure to depart or enter through designated channels could result in denied entry or unrecorded departures.

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