Dhaka seeks exemption from USD 5,000-15,000 visa bond requirement, highlights rising imports and labour reforms.

Bangladesh has requested the United States (US) to ease business travel restrictions following Washington's recent decision to include the country in its visa bond programme requiring deposits nearly between TK 6 lakh 12 thousand to TK 18 lakh 40 thousand (USD 5,000-15,000).

National Security Adviser (NSA) Khalilur Rahman raised the issue during meetings with US Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington DC on Thursday.

"He (Rahman) invited Ambassador Greer to use his good offices to ease business travel by Bangladesh in light of the recent inclusion of Bangladesh in the US visa bond," read a press release, issued by the Chief Adviser's Press Wing here today.

The NSA also had a separate meeting with Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch.

Rahman's five-day visit that began on Wednesday also saw Dhaka seeking access to US International Development Finance Corporation funding for Bangladesh's private sector.

Earlier, on Thursday in Dhaka, Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain described the visa bond requirement as ‘unfortunate’ during a press briefing at Foreign Ministry. 

However, he noted the measure affects 38 countries facing immigration-related challenges, making Bangladesh's inclusion ‘not abnormal’.

The US Department of State announced the expanded visa bond list on Tuesday, adding 25 countries including Bangladesh. Requirement will take effect from January 21, with few exceptions. The US had initially included six countries in August last year before adding seven more.

Touhid Hossain acknowledged irregular migration remains a policy-related problem that has continued for long. He emphasised interim government's opposition to irregular migration from the beginning, calling it the only sustainable solution.

"Reports of people dying or being rescued while crossing the Mediterranean continue to surface. They are victims deserving sympathy, while noting that laws are also being violated," Touhid said.