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Munshi Firoz Al Mamun
Bangladesh, Jan 7, 2026: The United States has included Bangladesh in a list of countries whose citizens may be required to post a financial bond of up to $15,000 when applying for short-term visas, according to information published on the US State Department’s website and reported by Reuters.
Under the policy, nationals of the listed countries who are otherwise eligible for B1/B2 visas for business or tourism purposes will be asked to deposit a bond ranging between $5,000 and $15,000.
“Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond,” the State Department said, adding that the exact amount will be determined during the visa interview.
The State Department also said applicants must formally agree to the bond conditions and complete payment through the US Treasury Department’s official online platform, Pay.gov.
Bangladesh is among 25 newly added countries, bringing the total number of nations under the programme to 38 as of this week. Most of the listed countries are located in Africa, Latin America and South Asia.
According to the State Department website, the visa bond requirement for the newly added countries will come into effect on January 21.
The measure is part of a pilot programme launched in August by the US government, which officials say is aimed at discouraging visitors from overstaying visas issued for tourism or business.
US authorities have described the bond as a compliance mechanism, ensuring that travellers have a strong financial incentive to leave the country before their permitted stay expires.
The State Department clarified that the bond amount will be refunded if the traveller departs the US within the allowed time or if the visa application is ultimately denied.
However, travellers subject to the programme may face additional restrictions, including single-entry visas, a maximum stay of 30 days, and mandatory entry through designated airports such as New York’s JFK, Washington Dulles, or Boston Logan.
The expansion of the visa bond policy follows the continuation of former President Donald Trump’s hard-line immigration approach, which included tighter visa screening, deportations, and increased scrutiny of applicants’ backgrounds.
Human rights groups have criticised the policy, arguing that it disproportionately affects travellers from developing nations and places a heavy financial burden on families and low-income applicants.
US officials, however, maintain that the policy is necessary to improve compliance with visa rules and strengthen domestic security.
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