Washington: The US government has announced a new requirement for tourist and business visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia to pay a $15,000 deposit. This directive, issued by the US state department, is part of a 12-month pilot program designed to address visa overstays and enhance the screening and vetting process for visitors from these nations.
According to BBC, the state department's notice suggests that the initiative could expand to include citizens from other countries with similar visa overstay concerns. The deposit, which serves as a bond, will be refunded upon the completion of the visitor's stay in the US. Consular officers have the discretion to impose this bond as a condition for visa issuance.
Data from the US Department of Homeland Security indicates that in 2023, approximately 14% of Malawian visitors and 11% of Zambian visitors overstayed their visas. Other countries with comparable overstay rates include Haiti at 31%, Myanmar at 27%, and Yemen at 20%.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has enacted measures to limit humanitarian programs for migrants from certain countries and has imposed travel bans on nationals from 12 countries, with partial restrictions on another seven. The administration has also rescinded visas for numerous international students and detained some on college campuses without prior notice or the opportunity to appeal.
The state department's actions are focused on individuals involved in activities perceived as contrary to US national interests. While many targeted individuals have engaged in pro-Palestinian activities, there are instances where visa cancellations have been linked to criminal records or minor legal infractions, such as traffic violations, according to immigration lawyers.