Albania is not included in the list of countries whose citizens will be required to provide a guarantee of up to $15,000 to obtain a visa to the United States.
At least for now.
A press release issued by the US Department of State states that the 12-month pilot project, which begins on August 20, will initially apply to citizens from Malawi and Zambia, two countries in Southern and Southeast Africa.
Sources from the Foreign Ministry said that so far there has been no announcement about this pilot program, but once the program comes into effect, countries that may be added to the list will be announced.
Applicants for tourist and business visas are subject to this measure.
The project provides for 3 levels of guarantees: 5 thousand, 10 thousand and 15 thousand dollars, and it will be embassy employees who will determine what amount applicants must put up as a guarantee, based on the criteria of the risk of visa violation, one of which is travel history.
According to a 2023 report by the Department of Homeland Security, 42% of the approximately 11 million foreigners living in the US entered with a regular, valid visa and never left.
The highest percentage of citizens who overstayed their visas during 2023 was from Chad with 50%, Laos with 35% and Haiti with 31%.
The number of Albanian citizens who overstayed their visas in 2023 is around 2.3%. Malawi and Zambia, where the pilot project is initially being implemented, also have low levels: 10% - 14%. Meanwhile, the countries with the highest number of citizens who overstay their visas are Mexico, Colombia, Haiti, etc./ Gazeta Panorama