Bangladeshi nationals approved for B1/B2 (business and tourist) U.S. visas will be required to post a visa bond of up to $15,000, the U.S. Embassy in Dhaka announced on social media platform X. The rule will not apply to holders of valid B1/B2 visas issued before that date
The bond amount—$5,000, $10,000 or $15,000—will be determined at the time of the visa interview. Applicants must post the bond only after being directed by a consular officer and submit Department of Homeland Security Form I-352. Payments must be made through the U.S. government’s Pay.gov platform, and the embassy warned applicants not to use third-party websites, noting that early or unauthorised payments are non-refundable and may involve scams.
Bangladesh is among several countries identified by the U.S. Department of State under a pilot program aimed at addressing visa overstay rates. The bond will be returned if visa holders comply with the terms of their stay, including timely departure from the United States.
As part of the bond conditions, affected visa holders must enter and exit the U.S. through designated ports of entry, including major airports such as JFK in New York, Washington Dulles and Los Angeles International Airport. Failure to comply with bond terms could result in forfeiture of the bond, U.S. authorities said.
