Visa Bonds and Travel Barriers

Derek Lawson

Hey everyone, welcome back to The Immigration Conversation. I’m Derek Lawson, and as always, I’m joined by Ruby Sturt. Today, we’re diving into a new policy that’s got a lot of folks talking—this U.S. visa bond pilot program targeting travelers from Malawi and Zambia. Ruby, you ready to unpack this one?

Ruby Sturt

Absolutely, Derek. This one’s a doozy. So, if you haven’t heard, the U.S. is rolling out a refundable visa bond for certain B-1 and B-2 visa applicants—basically, tourists and business visitors—from Malawi and Zambia. The bond ranges from five grand up to fifteen thousand U.S. dollars. That’s not pocket change, even if you do get it back later.

Derek Lawson

Yeah, and the idea is that this bond acts as a kind of financial insurance. If you follow all the rules—leave on time, don’t overstay—then you get your money back. But if you don’t, well, the government keeps it. The default is ten thousand, but consular officers can adjust it up or down depending on your risk profile. And it’s all handled online through the Treasury’s pay.gov portal.

Ruby Sturt

But it’s not just about the money, right? There are some pretty strict restrictions baked in. The visa’s only valid for three months, you can only stay for thirty days, and it’s single entry. Plus, you can’t just rock up at any airport—you’ve got to arrive through Boston Logan, JFK, or Dulles in D.C. That’s a lot of hoops for a short visit.

Derek Lawson

Exactly. And this isn’t the first time we’ve seen something like this. The Trump administration floated a similar idea back in 2020, but it never got off the ground because of the pandemic. Now, it’s back, but just for Malawi and Zambia—at least for now. The government says it’s about reducing visa overstays, which, according to Homeland Security, topped half a million in 2023. But it’s also part of a bigger trend—think travel bans, more social media screening, and that new $250 visa integrity fee we talked about a few episodes ago.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, it’s like a patchwork of new hurdles. And I mean, the U.S. says it’s about encouraging better screening from other governments, but it’s hard not to see it as a deterrent. Especially when you look at how much tighter these rules are compared to the old system—ten-year visas, multiple entries, six-month stays. Now it’s thirty days, one shot, and a big chunk of cash up front.

Derek Lawson

And, you know, it’s worth mentioning—these kinds of policies can have ripple effects, not just for travelers, but for families and businesses too. But before we get into that, Ruby, I know you’ve got a story that really brings this home.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, so, a mate of mine in Sydney was trying to help her family in Zambia plan a visit to the States for a cousin’s wedding. And, honestly, it turned into a logistical nightmare. They had to figure out how to scrape together the bond money—fifteen grand for a family of three, that’s forty-five thousand U.S. dollars, just sitting in limbo. Even though it’s refundable, most families just don’t have that kind of cash lying around.

Derek Lawson

That’s a huge barrier. And it’s not just about the money, right? If you’re from a lower-income background, or you’re planning a big family trip, this could make visiting the U.S. basically impossible. And for mixed-status families—where maybe some folks are from Malawi or Zambia and others aren’t—it gets even messier. You could end up with family members separated for big life events, or just skipping the trip altogether.

Ruby Sturt

Exactly. And then there’s the time crunch. Thirty days isn’t much, especially if you’re coming from halfway around the world. You’ve got to plan everything down to the hour—no room for delays, no flexibility if something goes wrong. And if you miss your flight or there’s a hiccup with the paperwork, you risk losing the bond. It’s just a lot of stress for what’s supposed to be a happy occasion.

Derek Lawson

And the process itself is pretty complex. You’ve got to post the bond online, make sure you leave through the right airport, and hope the departure records are updated correctly. If there’s a technical glitch, you could lose your money even if you did everything right. That’s a lot of trust to put in the system, especially for folks who aren’t familiar with U.S. bureaucracy.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, and I mean, we’ve talked before about how even small changes—like the new passport scan rule for the Green Card Lottery—can create big barriers for people. This is that, but on steroids. It’s not just paperwork, it’s real money and real consequences. And it’s not just tourists—business travelers are feeling it too, which brings us to the next big piece of this puzzle.

Derek Lawson

Right, so let’s talk about the business side. If you’re a U.S. company that relies on international partners, clients, or even just wants to bring in experts for a conference, this policy adds a whole new layer of headaches. The thirty-day limit is a killer for industries like manufacturing or tech, where you might need someone on-site for weeks or months. Now, you’re looking at multiple trips, more paperwork, and a lot more cost.

Ruby Sturt

And don’t forget the admin side. HR teams have to keep track of which countries are on the list, help visitors navigate the bond process, maybe even front the money for them. That’s a lot of extra work, and it’s not like most companies have a “visa bond specialist” on staff. Plus, if something goes wrong—like a missed flight or a paperwork error—there’s a risk of losing thousands of dollars.

Derek Lawson

Tourism and hospitality are going to feel this too. We’ve already seen drops in international visitors from other countries, and this could make the U.S. even less attractive. Hotels, restaurants, tour operators—they all stand to lose out if fewer people can afford to visit. And on a bigger scale, it sends a message that the U.S. isn’t exactly rolling out the welcome mat, especially for folks from developing countries.

Ruby Sturt

Yeah, and that’s not just about money—it’s about reputation. If the U.S. is seen as unwelcoming, it could hurt cultural exchange, student recruitment, even diplomatic relations. There’s also the risk of other countries responding with their own restrictions on American travelers. And, look, legal challenges are probably coming, especially if people feel like they’re being singled out unfairly. It’s a lot of moving parts, and the government’s only committed to this for a year—so we’ll have to see what sticks.

Derek Lawson

So, if you’re listening and you’re affected by this, keep an eye on travel.state.gov for updates, and don’t be afraid to reach out to an immigration attorney if you’re not sure how this impacts you or your business. We’ll keep tracking this story and bring you updates as things develop.

Ruby Sturt

That’s it for today’s episode. Thanks for joining us for another round of The Immigration Conversation. Derek, always a pleasure.

Derek Lawson

Likewise, Ruby. And thanks to all of you for tuning in. We’ll be back soon with more on the policies shaping immigration—and your lives. Take care, everyone.

Ruby Sturt

Catch you next time. Bye!