United States (US) has imposed stringent visa bond requirements on Bangladeshi nationals, making financial deposits between USD 5,000-15,000 compulsory for business and tourist visa applications starting January 21.

On Tuesday, Trump administration's State Department added Bangladesh to an expanded list of 38 countries whose citizens cannot obtain B1 or B2 visas without posting substantial bonds. Policy change represents significant tightening of immigration controls targeting nations with high visa overstay rates.

"Any citizen or national travelling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1 or B2 visa, must post a bond," State Department website stated. Bond amounts will be determined during visa interviews by consular officers assessing individual overstay risks.

Policy effectively creates a financial barrier for Bangladeshi travellers, particularly families and middle-income applicants. Family of four seeking tourist visas could face combined bond requirements up to USD 60 thousand with no guarantee of visa approval despite payment.

Applicants must complete Department of Homeland Security's Form I-352 and process payments exclusively through US Treasury Department's official platform Pay.gov. State Department issued stern warnings against submitting forms or payments without explicit instructions from consular officers, emphasising that unauthorised payments will not be refunded.

"Posting a bond does not guarantee visa issuance," State Department clarified, adding another layer of uncertainty for applicants who commit substantial funds upfront.

Successful bond-paying visa holders face severe travel restrictions. They must enter and exit United States only through three designated airports: Boston Logan International, John F Kennedy International in New York, and Washington Dulles International in Virginia. Violations may result in denied entry or unrecorded departures.

Additional limitations include single-entry permits and maximum 30-day stays, drastically reducing flexibility for business travellers and tourists compared to standard B1/B2 visa conditions.

Bonds will be refunded automatically if Department of Homeland Security confirms timely departure before authorised stay expires, if traveller never visits United States before visa expiration, or if admission is denied at port of entry. However, refund process timeline remains unclear.

Bond forfeiture becomes possible under multiple scenarios. Overstaying beyond authorised period, failing to depart United States, or attempting to adjust immigration status including asylum applications all trigger potential bond seizure. US Citizenship and Immigration Services will review breach cases referred by Department of Homeland Security.

Bangladesh joins predominantly African, Latin American and South Asian nations on the expanded list. Regional neighbours Nepal also faces identical requirements. Nigerian, Angolan, Venezuelan and Ugandan nationals are similarly affected.

US government justifies the programme as essential to deter visa overstays and strengthen immigration compliance. Officials describe bonds as "compliance insurance" ensuring financial penalties are secured upfront against potential violations.

"The primary purpose is to create a strong financial incentive for travellers to leave the US before their visa expires," official statement explained, citing historical overstay data from Department of Homeland Security's Entry or Exit Overstay Report.

Original visa bond pilot programme launched in August 2025 with limited country coverage. Recent expansion adding 25 countries including Bangladesh represents dramatic escalation of Trump administration's hardline immigration agenda pursued since January 2025.

Trump's broader immigration policies include aggressive deportation drives, widespread visa and green card revocations, and controversial screening of immigrants' social media accounts and past speeches. Administration characterises measures as critical for domestic security enhancement.

Human rights organisations have issued strong condemnations of Trump's immigration framework. Critics argue policies systematically undermine due process guarantees and constitutional free speech protections whilst discriminating against specific nationalities and socioeconomic groups.

Trump administration and supporters defend policies as necessary security measures, dismissing criticism as politically motivated opposition to legitimate border control and immigration enforcement.

US Embassy in Dhaka has separately instructed certain visa categories including H-1B workers, students on F and M visas, and J exchange visitors to make all social media accounts publicly accessible. Requirement facilitates vetting processes to establish identity and admissibility under US law.

Policy creates particular hardship for Bangladesh's substantial migrant worker population and students pursuing American education. Approximately 10 lakh Bangladeshi nationals currently reside in United States, many maintaining family and business connections requiring regular travel.

Applicants subject to bond requirements may still submit visa applications and attend scheduled interviews. However, they face heightened eligibility scrutiny and potential rejection despite meeting standard visa criteria and paying required bonds.

State Department maintains all visa application fees remain non-refundable and non-transferable regardless of outcome, meaning rejected applicants lose both application fees and face delayed bond refunds through separate administrative processes.

Financial burden extends beyond bond amounts. Applicants must factor in application fees, interview appointment costs, potential travel expenses to Dhaka for consular visits, and document preparation expenses. Total financial commitment for single visa application can exceed USD 16 thousand for highest bond tier.

Source: US State Department, Reuters, US Embassy Dhaka