Bangladesh Faces New U.S. Visa Bond Rule With High Costs

The United States has expanded its visa bond policy to include Bangladesh along with 24 other countries, requiring citizens of these nations to post refundable bonds of up to $15,000 as part of their visitor visa application process. 

Under the updated programme, which takes effect 21 January 2026, passport holders from newly added countries may be asked to pay a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 at the time of their visa interview if they are otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 tourism or business visa. Payments must be made through the U.S. Treasury’s online platform, Pay.gov. 

The total number of countries subject to the bond requirement now stands at 38, covering nations mainly from South Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. In addition to Bangladesh, the expanded list includes Algeria, Cuba, Nepal, Nigeria and Venezuela. 

U.S. officials say the bond requirement is designed to discourage visitors from overstaying their visas. Applicants who are denied a visa or who comply with all visa terms can receive refunds of the bond amount. 

However, critics argue that the additional cost could make travel to the United States unaffordable for many applicants from developing countries, especially low- and middle-income travellers. 

The visa bond expansion is part of broader tightening of U.S. immigration policies under President Donald Trump, which include increased deportations, revocations of visas and heightened scrutiny of applicants’ backgrounds.