US Visa Bond Puts Travel Out of Reach for Many Bangladeshi Citizens

(BANGLADESH) — The United States has expanded its visa bond pilot program to include Bangladesh, a move that could require some bangladeshi visitor visa applicants to post a refundable security deposit of up to $15,000 before they can travel.

Key dates and legal basis

• The expansion was announced on January 6, 2026, and will take effect for Bangladeshi nationals on January 21, 2026.
• The change is implemented under a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) tied to Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

What the rule requires

• The measure applies strictly to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) nonimmigrant visas.
• Consular officers have discretion to set bond amounts at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 based on the applicant’s assessed overstay risk.
• Bonds must be paid electronically through the U.S. Treasury’s Pay.gov portal using DHS Form I-352 (Immigration Bond). The Pay.gov site is available at Pay.gov.
• Refunds are fully refundable if the traveler departs on time or if the visa is denied. Refunds are processed automatically once a timely departure is recorded.

Bond amounts and payment (summary)

Travel and entry constraints

• Travelers who post a bond must enter and exit the United States through designated airports to ensure proper recording.
• The three designated airports are:
• Boston (BOS)
• New York (JFK)
• Washington-Dulles (IAD)
• Visas issued under the bond program are typically valid for a maximum of three months and allow only a single entry, which limits flexibility for multiple trips or longer stays.

Practical implications for travelers and planners

• The designated-airport requirement can add cost and complexity, especially when the final destination is far from Boston, New York, or Washington.
• Time-sensitive travel (short business visits under B-1) and families seeking lower-cost routing may be particularly affected by routing constraints.
• Automatic refunds depend on accurate entry-exit recording, so administrative verification is central to whether travelers recover deposited funds.

Context within U.S. policy

• The program began as a pilot in August 2025 and, on January 6, 2026, the U.S. added 25 new countries, bringing the total to 38 countries on the list. The expanded list includes Nigeria, Venezuela, Nepal, and several African nations, and now Bangladesh.
• DHS officials say the measure is intended to “create a financial incentive for compliance,” targeting countries with B-1/B-2 overstay rates significantly higher than the national average, according to the DHS Entry/Exit Overstay Reports. DHS overstay reports are published at DHS Entry/Exit Overstay Reports.
• The bond expansion is part of a broader “visa crackdown” that also includes:
• A new $250 Visa Integrity Fee effective Oct 2025.
• A proposed $100,000 H-1B filing fee (currently facing legal challenges).
• The Visa Bond Pilot Program itself remains focused on visitor travel under B-1 and B-2 categories.

Reactions and local impact in Bangladesh

• Bangladesh Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain acknowledged the decision at a press briefing on January 8, 2026, framing it as part of a broader U.S. approach rather than a step aimed solely at Dhaka.
  

  “It is certainly unfortunate and painful for us, but it is not abnormal. The decision taken by the United States is not only about Bangladesh. If you look at US statistics, among those exploiting their social system illegally, Bangladeshis are among the highest. So it is not very surprising,” Hossain said.

• In Dhaka, discussion has focused on affordability: at current exchange rates, a $15,000 bond equals approximately Tk 1.83 million. Critics and travel experts warn this exceeds the annual income of most Bangladeshi households and will:

• Make U.S. travel accessible primarily to the wealthy.
• Put travel “beyond reach” for ordinary citizens, small entrepreneurs, and families of students.
• Bangladesh’s interim government has said it will seek an exemption from the list through diplomatic channels, while acknowledging inclusion reflects long-term trends in irregular migration.

Administrative and procedural notes

• The State Department guidance clarifies the bond applies to a citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of the listed countries who is otherwise eligible for a B-1/B-2 visa.
• The Temporary Final Rule structure gives consular officers discretion over the bond amount ($5,000, $10,000, or $15,000) depending on overstay risk assessment.
• Payment of the bond via DHS Form I-352 on Pay.gov is an added procedural step alongside the existing visa application process.

Where to find official information

• State Department guidance excerpt:

  “Any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries, who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond. The primary aim of the visa bond is to ensure visa holders do not overstay their permitted duration in the US,” the U.S. State Department guidance on U.S. Department of State – Travel.gov: Countries Subject to Visa Bonds states.

• Official lists and guidance:

• Pay.gov — payment portal for DHS Form I-352.
• DHS Entry/Exit Overstay Reports — DHS overstay reports.
• U.S. Department of State – Travel.gov: Countries Subject to Visa Bonds — published list of countries subject to the bond program.

Summary takeaways

• The bond program expansion creates an upfront financial barrier (up to $15,000) for some Bangladeshi B-1/B-2 applicants starting January 21, 2026.
• The policy includes designated-entry airports, single-entry visas, and three-month typical validity, which together narrow travel options and could increase costs.
• U.S. officials present the measure as a targeted compliance tool tied to overstay data; Bangladeshi officials and critics view it as a burdensome constraint that disproportionately affects ordinary citizens.