The United States has expanded its “visa bond” requirement to 38 countries—now including Bangladesh—requiring certain B-1/B-2 (business/tourist) applicants to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The State Department’s travel website posted the update on Tuesday, with the new condition taking effect for most newly added countries on 21 January.
Officials say the bond is intended to deter overstays; paying it does not guarantee visa issuance. If an application is refused—or if a visa holder complies fully with all terms—the bond is refundable. The bond amount, set during the consular interview, must be lodged by agreeing to terms via the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov platform and submitting DHS Form I-352. Applicants must appear in person for interviews.
For Bangladeshis, the maximum bond equals roughly BDT 1.835 million (at USD 15,000 ≈ BDT 18,35,000 using a rate of 122.31). The rule applies regardless of where the applicant files and, if issued, may restrict entry/exit to designated ports such as Boston Logan (BOS), New York JFK, and Washington Dulles (IAD).
The expansion—part of broader Trump-administration tightening—adds 25 countries to an earlier list first unveiled in August and then widened once more, bringing the total to 38. Newly listed countries include Bangladesh, Algeria, Angola, Antigua & Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Côte d’Ivoire, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. They join earlier additions such as Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé & Príncipe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia.
U.S. officials argue the bond—capped at $15,000—will curb overstay risks, while critics say the requirement sharply raises costs for legitimate travel and does not assure visa approval.