The US will require citizens from Malawi and Zambia to pay a deposit of up to $15,000 to visit.

The new pilot programme is set to begin on August 10 and aims to curb visa overstays.

Officials say other countries may soon also need to pay a similar deposit, which will be returned at the end of their visit.

According to figures published in 2023 by the Department of Homeland Security, 14% of visitors from Malawi overstay their visas, compared to 11% of Zambian visitors.