Zambia has expressed deep concern over the United States’ new visa bond requirement, which mandates that Zambian citizens pay bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 for certain tourist and business visas. This policy, set to take effect on August 20, 2025, is part of a U.S. pilot program aimed at reducing visa overstays.
The U.S. State Department announced that nationals from countries with high visa overstay rates, including Zambia, would be required to post these bonds during the visa application process. The bond amount—$5,000, $10,000, or $15,000—will be determined at the time of the visa interview.
The funds are refundable if the traveler departs the U.S. within the authorized period and complies with all visa conditions. However, if the traveler overstays their visa or violates its terms, the bond will be forfeited.
Zambian Foreign Minister Mulambo Haimbe criticized the policy, highlighting the significant economic burden it imposes on citizens. With an average household income of approximately $150 per month, the bond amounts are seen as unaffordable for many Zambians.
Haimbe expressed concerns that this financial strain could adversely affect trade, investment, and tourism between the two nations.
International relations analyst Anthony Mukwita also weighed in, suggesting that the funds required for the visa bonds could be better utilized to address essential infrastructure needs within Zambia, such as providing clean water through boreholes.
The U.S. State Department has stated that the bond requirement is part of a broader effort to ensure compliance with visa terms and to mitigate the risk of visa overstays.
The policy is currently a pilot program, and its impact on international relations and bilateral exchanges remains to be seen.
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