U.S. slams $15,000 bond on Zambian, Malawian tourist visa applications
The U.S. government on Tuesday imposed a $15,000 bond on all tourist visa applications from Malawi and Zambia, two countries identified for high rates of visa overstays, as part of a 12-month pilot programme launched to curb visa overstays.
According to the Department of Homeland Security’s FY 2023 Overstay Report, citizens of Malawi and Zambia remained in the U.S. longer than their visas allowed, prompting the Donald Trump administration to impose a $15,000 bond on B1 and B2 visa applicants from both nations, regardless of the country of application.
The bond will go into effect on August 20.
Applicants from these nations are required to submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352, where a consular officer will direct them to pay either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 into a pay.gov account. Applicants who pay without being directed to do so will forfeit their money to the U.S. government.
According to the bond, Malawians and Zambians must arrive in and depart from the U.S. using any of the designated airports listed in the pilot programme.
The airports are limited to Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport.
The bonds will be refunded if the applicant exits the U.S. on or before the day of visa expiration, or does not travel to the U.S. at all during the validity of their visas, or was denied a visa.
In the event the visa holder remains in the U.S. after visa expiration, or stays in the U.S. to claim asylum, the bond will be forfeited.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
States
Independence: NBA urges Nigerians to expect better future
The NBA said that ordinary Nigerians should be deriving benefit from the subsidy removal rather than hardship.
Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
Anti-Corruption
40 OPay, Moniepoint ATM cards recovered in Borno, four nabbed for fraud
The police said the recovered ATM cards were retained as exhibits to support further investigations.
Economy
Kano, Plan International distributes livelihood start-up kits to ABEP graduates
SAME’s executive secretary, Binta Abubakar, said the intervention would help participants work and earn income to support their welfare, their families, and their communities.
NationWide
NCC checks circulation of counterfeit and stolen phones in Nigeria
NCC says the Device Checker Platform recently introduced was aimed at checking the circulation of counterfeit, stolen, and unauthorised mobile phones.
Rights
Gov Zulum seeks shift from relief to recovery as IOM marks 25 years in Nigeria
Governor Babagana Zulum has called for increased investment in housing, livelihoods and infrastructure to support the recovery of conflict-displaced persons in Northeast Nigeria.
Lagos
LASU VC targets Africa’s most impactful city university
LASU’s vice-chancellor, Ayodeji Badejo, has charged the institution’s Senate to work toward making the institution Africa’s most impactful city university.
Sport
Osimhen welcomes second child, names her Liora Audrey
Turkish Super Lig giants Galatasaray have announced that Super Eagles forward Victor Osimhen and his partner, Stefanie Kim Ladewig, have welcomed a baby girl named Liora Audrey.
