{"id":"f-73cd9b4b27-8742e950-ec1b-5f84-9641-b8bd5332afa7","title":"New US visa bond rule: What Bangladeshis need to know before applying","description":"Applicants must follow strict official payment procedures via Pay.gov after consular approval to avoid scams, as advance payments are non-refundable and don’t guarantee a visa.","timestamp":1768886444,"category":"international","headline":"New US visa bond rule: What Bangladeshis need to know before applying","modifiedHeadline":"New US Visa Bond Rule Affects Bangladeshis","subCategories":["scid_7a1f2a1b"],"region":"IN","bundleMetaData":{"bundleId":"c80449a0-0ad6-472b-8d17-5747dd8f5c83","bundleTitle":"Around the globe","cardData":null},"iabCategoryId":"663","fcSummary":"bangladeshi nationals seeking us b1/b2 visas from jan 21, 2026, may need to post a refundable bond up to $15,000 as a guarantee of adherence to visa terms. payments are only made after visa approval via the official us treasury portal, pay.gov, to avoid scams.","summary":"US visa bond rule: Pay via Pay.gov after approval. Avoid scams; advance payments are non-refundable & don't guarantee a visa.","ctaUrl":"https://trends.glance.com/newz/astrology/IN/en/news9/f-73cd9b4b27-8742e950-ec1b-5f84-9641-b8bd5332afa7","sourceUrl":"https://www.news9live.com/world/new-us-visa-bond-rule-what-bangladeshis-need-to-know-before-applying-2920954","bannerImage":"https://g-mob.glance-cdn.com/public/fc/image/JWbb33A9tui0.webp","content":"

New Delhi: The United States Embassy in Dhaka has announced a major shift in its visa policy, introducing a significant financial hurdle for Bangladeshi

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nationals seeking to visit the US. Starting January 21, 2026, approved B1/B2 (business and tourist) visa applicants may be required to post a bond of up to 15,000 dollars.

A new layer of compliance
\n The new mandate is part of a broader US Department of State visa bond policy designed to serve as a financial guarantee that travelers will adhere to the terms of their stay. The bond is essentially a refundable deposit. And if the visitor respects all the conditions of their visa and departs the US as scheduled, the money will be returned.

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Only visas issued on or after January 21, 2026 are subject to the bond. Travelers holding a valid B1/B2 visa issued before the January 2026 deadline are exempt from this requirement.

The Embassy issued a stern warning saying that any bond payment made before a visa interview is strictly non-refundable. Furthermore, paying the bond in advance does not guarantee that a visa will be granted.

Official procedure and scam alert

To prevent fraud, the US Embassy has outlined a specific protocol for the bond process. Applicants should only pay after a consular officer finds them eligible for the visa during the interview, the Embassy said.

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Also, the travelers will be required to submit Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-352.
\n It also said that all the payments must be made through the US Treasury’s official portal, Pay.gov, only after receiving a direct link from a consular officer.

The Embassy cautioned against using third-party websites, which are often scams and will not be recognized by the U.S. government.

A global policy

Bangladesh is not alone in this new requirement. The US is gradually rolling out this policy for several nations with implementation dates stretching from August 2025 into early 2026. As of January 8, the list of countries includes:

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Asia/Middle East: Bhutan, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan.
Africa: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Gabon, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, Nigeria, So Tome and Principe, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Americas/Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica, Venezuela.
Oceania: Fiji, Tonga, Tuvalu, Vanuatu.

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New US visa bond rule: What Bangladeshis need to know before applying

SUMMARY