Malawi and Zambia have become the first two African countries whose citizens will now be subjected to visa bonds when applying for B1/B2 visitor visas due to what the United States (US) Government says high overstay rates. 

The US Government says travellers holding passports from Malawi or Zambia must post a bond of up to 15 thousand US dollars if found eligible for a B1/B2 visa. This comes two months after Malawi and other 22 African countries were ordered by Washington to improve its immigration policies or else impose a travel ban on her citizens. Malawi authorities say they have not received official communication from the US on the matter. 

Channel Africa corrospondent in Malawi Blantyre is George Mhango.