Citizens from Malawi and Zambia will now be required to pay a $15,000 (£11,300) bond to obtain a tourist or business visa to the United States, according to the US State Department.
This 12 month pilot program is designed to reduce the number of visa overstays and address concerns regarding “screening and vetting information,” as outlined in a State Department notice.
Officials have indicated that travelers from other nations could also face a similar requirement in the near future. The deposit will be refunded once the visitor departs the US within the allowed timeframe.
This move is part of a series of measures supporting President Donald Trump’s ongoing immigration control agenda. On the first day of his second term, Trump signed an executive order reinforcing efforts to curb illegal immigration.
