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ZIMBABWEAN nationals applying for short-term travel to the United States will now face significantly higher upfront costs of up to US$15 000 following the introduction of a new visa bond programme by Washington.
According to a statement published on the United States Department of State website, Zimbabwe has been listed among countries whose citizens may be subjected to a pilot visa bond requirement targeting applicants for B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas.
The visa bond, which is a refundable financial guarantee, is meant to ensure compliance with US immigration laws and is not a guarantee that a visa will be issued.
The policy is set to take effect on January 21, 2026, with consular officers given discretion to require selected applicants to post a bond of US$5 000, US$10 000 or US$15 000, depending on an individual’s assessed immigration risk.
The US State Department said the bond is designed to encourage timely departure at the end of an authorised stay and curb visa overstays.
“A bond does not guarantee visa issuance. If someone pays fees without a consular officer’s direction, the fees will not be returned,” the department said, stressing that payment of a bond does not automatically result in visa approval.
Under the new rules, the bond will be cancelled and refunded if the visa holder leaves the United States within the permitted period, does not travel before the visa expires, or is denied entry at a US port of entry.
Zimbabwe joins several African, Asian, Caribbean and Latin American countries placed under the programme, which US authorities say is part of broader efforts to reduce overstays by temporary visitors.
The development is expected to further limit access to the United States for many Zimbabweans, with critics noting that the high bond amounts may be beyond the reach of ordinary citizens amid ongoing economic challenges.
