New Delhi: The United States Embassy in Dhaka has announced a major shift in its visa policy, introducing a significant financial hurdle for Bangladeshi
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
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.
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.
Also, the travelers will be required to submit Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Form I-352.
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:
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.
