Zambian business leaders have voiced serious concerns over the U.S. visa bond policy, which requires applicants to pay refundable deposits ranging from 5000 to 15,000 U.S. dollars to secure certain visas, warning it could disrupt vital business exchanges between the two countries.
The U.S. State Department announced the policy on August 5, specifying that it applies to visa applicants from Zambia and Malawi seeking business or tourist travel to the U.S.
Tilus Sichinga, a Zambian businessman, said the decision will make it harder for people like him to engage in trade activities with the U.S.
"As Zambians, it has become very difficult to trade with America because it means they are increasing the capital. They are tying up the capital, the amount to be used for you to go and do business in America," he said.
Another businessman, Walter Mwambazi, highlighted that the new visa policy is prompting a shift in mindset among entrepreneurs.
"When you put certain barriers, then all of a sudden eyes open and you are like 'okay, you know what, instead of going to the U.S., I could go somewhere else instead, or if I need this, I could do it from somewhere else'. And so you essentially start to open your eyes to alternatives," Mwambazi said.
The U.S. State Department said the requirement is part of a 12-month pilot program scheduled to begin Aug 20 and last until Aug 5, 2026. It will apply to nationals from certain foreign countries applying for B-1 or B-2 visas for business or tourist travel to the U.S. These visas usually allow for a maximum stay of six months, though extensions are permitted in some cases.
It also said in a notice that the program aims to reduce visa overstays and will be implemented in cases "where screening and vetting information is considered deficient."
US visa bond policy draws criticism from Zambian business leaders over trade risks
US visa bond policy draws criticism from Zambian business leaders over trade risks
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
