Revealed: List of African countries to pay up to Sh1.6 million bonds for temporary travel

Donald Trump, American President, is imposing a strict travel rule for 15 African countries. The rule will require citizens of the 15 countries to pay up to Sh1.6 million bonds to visit US.

This experimental project starting on 24th December 2020 till 24^th June 2021 aims to target visitors and business persons who prolong their stay in the US past what their visas allow.

In a statement from the Department of State, “Visa Applicants from African countries affected by this program include those applying for B-1/B-2 (temporary visitors for business or pleasure) from countries whose citizens tend to outstay their visas”

African Countries affected by this pilot program are: Mauritania, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Angola, Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cape Verde, Sudan, Eritrea, the Gambia, Libya, Guinea-Bissau and Djibouti.

The US government has authorized their consular officers to compel visa applicants with an overstay rate of 10% or more in the year 2019 to post condition bonds ranging from $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 during this period.

The US State Department has claimed that issuance of these bonds will help them address their Foreign Policy and National Security goals as well as streamline their operational processes.

The six-month Pilot Program which takes effect on December 24 and runs through to June 24 is targeting the visitors and business people who overstay their visas.

Trump’s restrictions come barely before the end of his four-year term in office. He is expected to leave office by January 20^th, 2021 after losing office to President-Elect Joe Biden.