The United States government has introduced a significant new requirement for travelers from several countries. Citizens of Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan now face potential visa bonds of up to $15,000 for business and tourist visits to America. This policy affects thirty-eight nations in total, with many coming from the Global South regions.
New Visa Bond Requirements Take Effect
Starting January 21, 2026, Bangladeshi nationals approved for B1/B2 visas may need to deposit a bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The US embassy in Dhaka issued a clear warning to applicants. They advised people not to pay any bond before attending their visa interview. Paying early does not guarantee visa approval and could involve scams through third-party websites.
Any payment made before the interview becomes non-refundable. However, the bond will be returned if applicants respect all visa terms. This includes leaving the United States within the authorized period. The bond amount gets determined during the visa interview itself.
How the Visa Bond System Works
Eligible applicants must agree to bond conditions and make payments through the US Treasury Department's online platform, pay.gov. The bond is fully refundable if the visa gets refused. It also returns when travelers comply with all visa conditions. This new rule does not apply to holders of valid B1/B2 visas issued before January 21, 2026.
Bangladesh Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain described Dhaka's inclusion on the list as very painful and unfortunate. He stated the decision was not unexpected. Hossain noted that several countries face similar measures. Those with immigration problems appear on the list. US statistics show Bangladeshis top the list of people drawing money from the social system there. So Bangladesh being included does not seem abnormal to him.
Overstay Rates Prompt Policy Change
The visa bond initiative for business and tourist visas operates as a pilot project. It aims specifically at preventing overstays. According to US Customs and Border Protection data, 38,590 Bangladeshis entered the US on business and tourist visas during the 2024 fiscal year. Of these, 2,213 individuals overstayed their visas. This accounts for 5.73% of the total.
Among the overstayers, 51 later left the United States. No departure records were found for 2,162 people. These cases classify as suspected in-country overstays, representing 5.60%. By comparison, the suspected in-country overstay rate for non-Visa Waiver Programme countries overall stood at 2.22% in the same fiscal year. In the 2023 fiscal year, the overstay rate for Bangladeshi B1/B2 visa holders reached 6.86%.
Broader Immigration Restrictions
Days after adding Dhaka to the non-immigrant visa bond list, the US government announced another restrictive move. They declared on Wednesday that immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh and Pakistan, would suspend from January 21. The Donald Trump administration stated the visa bond programme will run from August 20, 2025, to August 5 this year.
Other countries on the visa bond list come mostly from Africa, Latin America, and Central Asia. This development marks a significant shift in US immigration policy toward nations with higher overstay rates. Travelers from affected countries must now prepare for additional financial requirements when planning visits to America.
