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He expressed disappointment after Bangladesh’s name was included in the United States’ new visa bond list.
Under the visa bond rules, anyone seeking a B1 (business) or B2 (tourist/visitor) visa to the United States will now have to deposit between USD 5,000 and USD 15,000.
In other words, if a Bangladeshi applies for a business visa (B1) or a tourist/visitor visa (B2), and if they are otherwise eligible to receive the visa, they will need to provide a security deposit of approximately BDT 600,000 to 1.9 million. This additional financial burden will be considered difficult for many applicants.
Initially, only seven countries were included in the list of countries subject to visa bond conditions. However, on January 6, the U.S. Department of State expanded the list to 38 countries.
The State Department has announced the date on which the visa bond will take effect for the newly added countries.
For Bangladesh, it will be implemented starting January 21.
This bond system is currently a 12-month pilot program, which was launched on August 20.
What Is a Visa Bond?
A visa bond is a type of refundable financial security deposit.
Before issuing temporary visas under two categories, the United States is now requiring this bond.
Every year, the U.S. issues a large number of visas to students, tourists, and business travelers. These visas may be valid for a few weeks to several years.
This decision has been taken to ensure that visa holders leave the United States within the authorized time period.
If someone stays in the U.S. beyond the permitted duration, it will be considered a violation of U.S. immigration law or the visa bond conditions.
According to the rules, citizens of these 38 countries may be required to deposit a visa bond ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000.
The exact bond amount will be determined during the visa interview, in three tiers:
USD 5,000, USD 10,000, or USD 15,000.
The visa officer will decide how much an applicant must deposit, based on the applicant’s personal circumstances and the interview.
The officer may also issue a B1 or B2 visa without requiring a bond if they choose.
Kamruzzaman Roni, owner of a private travel agency in Bangladesh, told BBC Bangla:
“Once the visa officer is certain that they will issue you the visa, only then will they ask you to deposit the money. It’s not something you have to pay at the time of application.”
Bond Payment Process: No Deposit Without Instructions
The U.S. Department of State stated that after receiving instructions from a consular officer, the applicant must submit Form I-352 to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Applicants must agree to the bond terms through Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury’s official online payment platform. This rule applies to applicants under both visa categories.
The State Department also warned that no third-party websites may be used to deposit the bond. Payments made outside the official U.S. government system will not be the responsibility of the U.S. government.
If someone pays the bond fee without instructions from a consular officer, the amount will not be refunded. Once instructed, the applicant will receive a direct payment link to complete the deposit.
However, the State Department clarified that paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval.
Kamruzzaman Roni added:
“We studied the visa issuance process for the seven countries that were initially included. In practice, being asked to pay the bond means the visa is almost guaranteed.”
When Getting the Bond Refund Becomes Complicated
Specific airports have been designated for travelers who obtain visas by submitting a bond.
These are:
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Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
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John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), New York
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Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
This means Bangladeshi travelers must enter and exit the U.S. through only these three airports, regardless of their final destination within the country.
Entering or exiting through any other airport will be considered a violation of the bond conditions and may complicate the refund process.
Additionally, the bond terms will be considered violated if:
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The traveler leaves the U.S. after the approved stay period,
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Stays longer than authorized,
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Remains in the U.S. unlawfully,
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Applies for asylum or another visa while in the U.S.
In such cases, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will forward the individual’s information to immigration authorities.
However, the State Department stated that if the visa holder:
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Leaves the U.S. within the approved time,
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Does not travel to the U.S. before the visa expires,
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Or is denied entry at a U.S. airport,
the bond will be automatically canceled, and the deposited amount will be refunded.
No timeline has been specified for how long the refund process will take.
Reasons for Introducing the Bond System
As mentioned earlier, the measure has been introduced to prevent illegal immigration.
The Trump administration has taken a strong stance on immigration policy from the beginning. After beginning his second term in January, President Donald Trump signed multiple executive orders aimed at curbing immigration.
On his first day in office in January, he issued an order ending birthright citizenship for children of undocumented parents.
At that time, thousands of immigration appointments were canceled, and stricter controls were imposed at the U.S.–Mexico border.
In March, the U.S. announced the cancellation of temporary legal status for 530,000 migrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela.
According to a September decision, applicants traveling to the U.S. as skilled foreign workers under the H-1B visa program are now required to pay an additional USD 100,000.
According to a report by the U.S.-based research organization Pew Research Center, immigration to the U.S. increased by 1.6 million people in 2023, the highest increase in over 20 years.
More than 14% of the U.S. population is now immigrant, the highest level since 1910.
Trump had introduced the visa bond program during his first term as well, but it could not be implemented due to travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
How Will This Affect Bangladesh?
News of the high visa bond has caused concern among Bangladeshi visa applicants and Bangladeshis currently residing in the U.S. Many say that setting aside such a large amount of money just to travel is difficult for most families.
According to Kamruzzaman Roni, the visa bond will significantly increase travel costs, creating a major barrier for middle-class and lower-middle-class travelers.
“Applications for tourist and visitor visas are likely to decrease. This will directly affect travel agencies, airlines, tour operators, and related service sectors. Legitimate business travel and ordinary people’s right to travel abroad will be harmed,” he said.
He also believes that Bangladesh’s inclusion on the list damages the country’s international image.
“It may send a message abroad that Bangladeshi travelers are high-risk. This could lead other countries to tighten their visa processes as well,” he added.
Countries on the list include Cuba, Venezuela, Congo, Algeria, Djibouti, Fiji, Nigeria, Senegal, Turkmenistan, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and many others.
In South Asia, Nepal and Bhutan, along with Bangladesh, have also been included on this list.
