Tamala Chunda is an ambitious young woman from Malawi. He hopes to one day study at the University of Dayton, in Ohio, where he has already been awarded a full scholarship. His dreams have now endured a crushing blow. His journey, the U.S. Embassy told him, requires him to buy a $15,000 visa bond—up front—before being allowed to travel. The U.S. State Department released this yearlong pilot program, which began on August 20, 2025. This new implementation requirement is a product of that effort. The program forces a majority of business (B-1) and tourist (B-2) visa applicants from Malawi, and even neighboring Zambia, to post costly but refundable bonds. These bonds are set between $5,000 and $15,000.
The addition of this new bond requirement muddy’s what should be a clear and direct path to success for Malawian students as bright as Chunda. Value of bond is greater than 20 years of the average salary in Malawi. This cost-prohibitive barrier presents a major hurdle for so many diverse eager learners. Chunda has spent hundreds of late nights studying with borrowed textbooks under the light of a kerosene lamp. Now, he says, his dream of studying abroad is all but fading.
Chunda’s academic success are a testament to his work ethic and perseverance. Shortly thereafter, he placed in the top 10 in his secondary school national ranking. Fueled by the determination that education was his only way out of the poverty cycle that had ensnared his village for centuries, he committed himself fully to realizing his dreams. The new visa bond requirement has him feeling defeated.
“That scholarship offer was the first time I thought the world outside my village was opening up for me,” – Tamala Chunda
“Now it feels as if I’m being informed that no matter how hard I work, doors will remain sealed by money I will never have,” – Tamala Chunda
The Implications of the Visa Bond Requirement
As one U.S. embassy spokesperson in Lilongwe told Malawi24, the purpose of the bond program is to prevent visa overstays. Although it does not explicitly target student visas, the implications for education-related travel are significant. Students like Chunda are caught in a policy designed for a different purpose, and civil society groups are raising their voices in opposition.
Malawi-based organizations like Youth and Society are mobilizing to challenge the policy, highlighting its harmful impacts on Malawian youth. Charles Kajoloweka, executive director of Youth and Society, said the bond requirement was exclusionary and a burden.
“For our students, it is less of a bond and more of an exclusion order,” – Charles Kajoloweka
“It is the equivalent of asking a farmer who earns less than $500 a year to produce 30 years’ worth of income overnight,” – Charles Kajoloweka
Kajoloweka’s remarks point to a growing concern among advocates. They think such a policy endangers decades of diplomatic and educational ties built between the United States and Malawi. He wants people to know that though there are barriers, they can be broken.
“This bond is a barrier, but barriers can be challenged. Your dreams are valid, your aspirations are legitimate, and your voices matter. The world must not shut you out,” – Charles Kajoloweka
Voices from the Community
The visa bond requirement further complicates the lives of Malawian entrepreneurs and professionals. They often share their angst about the frustrating guardrails created by lack of funding. Local businessman Abraham Samson echoed those sentiments, focusing on the bigger picture.
“With our economy, not everyone can manage this. For those of us chasing further studies, these dreams are now a mirage,” – Abraham Samson
Samson’s sentiment strikes a chord among those who are cornered by economic circumstances that make it difficult to pursue their dreams.
In fact, another Malawian businessman lamented the need for quick, unimpeded travel for day-to-day entrepreneurial activities. As he mentioned, by making everything take longer because of visa limits, we risk the loss of people’s livelihoods.
“Every delay eats away at my margins,” – A Malawian Businessman
“My six employees rely on me. If I can’t travel, I may have to send them home,” – A Malawian Businessman
These voices show the broader effects of the visa bond requirement outside of education, impacting families’ ability to make a living and businesses’ ability to stay sustainable.
A Call to Action
As students and community members continue to fight this policy, there is a renewed sense of hope and persistence among the collective to push for reform. Activists tell us that it is critical to tackle these financial barriers that seek to kill ambition and potential amongst Malawian youth.
Expanding that dialogue surrounding this issue is key, as it pushes us all to consider larger themes of equity and accessibility in education. The voices of students like Tamala Chunda and community leaders such as Charles Kajoloweka are vital in shaping public discourse around educational opportunities for Malawians.
