US Announces Visa Bond Requirement for Bangladeshi Travelers Starting 2026
The US Embassy in Dhaka has made a significant announcement affecting Bangladeshi citizens planning business or tourist trips to the United States. From January 21, 2026, individuals who receive approval for B1/B2 visas will need to post a financial bond before their visa gets issued.
Understanding the New Bond Requirement
This new rule applies specifically to Bangladeshi citizens whose visa applications receive approval from a US consular officer. The bond amounts will range from $5,000 to $15,000, with the exact figure determined during the visa interview process.
Important clarification: This requirement does not affect travelers who already hold valid B1/B2 visas issued before January 21, 2026. Only new applicants approved after that date will need to comply with the bond posting.
Critical Payment Guidelines and Warnings
The embassy has issued clear and strong warnings regarding the payment process:
- Do not make any payments before your visa interview. The embassy explicitly states that applicants should not pay any bond amount before their scheduled interview.
- Early payments do not guarantee visa approval. Paying before consular approval offers no advantage in the visa decision process.
- Non-refundable early payments. Any money paid before official consular approval will not be refunded under any circumstances.
- Beware of third-party websites. The embassy warns that many third-party sites claiming to facilitate these payments may be scams. The US government will not refund money paid through unofficial channels.
Applicants must wait until a consular officer explicitly instructs them to post the bond. Only then should they proceed with payment through the official channels.
Why the US is Implementing This Program
Bangladesh finds itself among several countries selected for a US State Department pilot program. This initiative specifically targets nations with historically high visa overstay rates. The bond system serves as a financial guarantee that visa holders will comply with their authorized stay periods.
Bond Refund Conditions
The good news for compliant travelers is that the bond amount will be automatically returned under these circumstances:
- If visa holders depart the United States on or before their authorized stay period ends
- If approved travelers do not actually travel to the US before their visa expires
- If travelers are denied entry at a US port of entry upon arrival
Payment Process and Requirements
Eligible applicants who receive visa approval must follow these specific steps:
- Post a bond of either $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 as determined during the interview
- Submit Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 (the official Immigration Bond form)
- Make payment exclusively through Pay.gov, which is the US Treasury's official payment platform
- Use only the direct payment link provided by the consular officer
Payments made without official direction will not be refunded, so following instructions precisely becomes crucial.
What Constitutes a Bond Breach?
The Department of Homeland Security may declare a bond breach under several circumstances:
- If the visa holder overstays their authorized period in the United States
- If the visa holder remains in the US unlawfully after their permitted stay
- If the visa holder applies to adjust their status, including claiming asylum
Breach cases get referred to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for thorough review and potential action.
Mandatory Entry and Exit Points
Visa holders who post bonds face additional travel restrictions. They must enter and exit the United States only through designated ports of entry specified by US authorities.
Failure to use these designated ports could result in:
- Denied entry to the United States
- Departure not being properly recorded, which risks bond forfeiture
US authorities plan to add more ports on a rolling basis as the program develops.
Countries Affected by the Visa Bond Program
Bangladesh is not alone in facing these new requirements. Nationals from numerous countries may need to post visa bonds, with implementation dates varying:
January 21, 2026 implementation: Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zimbabwe
January 1, 2026 implementation: Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Namibia, Turkmenistan
Earlier 2025 implementation dates: The Gambia (October 11), Malawi (August 20), Mauritania (October 23), Sao Tome and Principe (October 23), Tanzania (October 23), Zambia (August 20)
This comprehensive program represents a significant shift in US visa policy for citizens of these countries, with Bangladesh travelers needing to prepare for these new financial requirements well in advance of their planned travel dates.
