Washington: The US will now require citizens from Malawi and Zambia to pay a $15,000 deposit when applying for a tourist or business visa. This new requirement has been announced by the US State Department as part of a 12-month pilot programme aimed at reducing visa overstays and addressing concerns about screening and vetting processes.

According to BBC, the pilot programme is designed to curb visa overstays and is part of broader measures by the US government to manage immigration more effectively. Data from the US Department of Homeland Security indicates that approximately 14% of visitors from Malawi and 11% from Zambia overstay their visas. The deposit will be refunded at the end of the visitor's stay in the US, providing an incentive for compliance.

Consular officers have been granted the authority to require non-immigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to $15,000 as a condition for visa issuance. The US State Department has indicated that this requirement could be extended to citizens of other countries with similar overstay concerns.

The current administration has been actively revising immigration policies since taking office, including revoking visas for international students and imposing travel bans on citizens from certain countries. Many of these measures have been justified on the grounds of national security, with a focus on individuals involved in activities perceived as contrary to US interests.

Immigration lawyers have reported that visa cancellations have also affected individuals with minor legal infractions, highlighting the broad application of these new policies. The State Department's actions have sparked discussions on the balance between national security and the rights of international visitors.