Amid the US’s expansion of its visa bond list, which now includes six southern African countries, South African US visa applicants remain safe, according to visa experts.
In August 2025, the US implemented the visa bond pilot programme for nationals from Malawi and Zambia, followed by Tanzania in October. From January 1, nationals from Botswana and Namibia were among those added to the list. On January 6, the US nearly tripled the list, adding Zimbabwe and Uganda, effective January 21.
This sparked concerns about whether US visa changes affecting neighbouring countries could have an impact on South African US visa applicants, however Candice Magen, CEO of Visas Abroad, says all is operating as normal, for now.
“So far, we have not noticed any changes or experienced any issues with South Africans applying for US visas. The process is functioning the same as always. In fact, we were recently able to assist a client to secure a 10-year US visa after two prior rejections. We do hope that this remains this way and that we don't see any adverse changes and challenges for South Africans applying for US visas in the future.”
