Travel dreams to America just got pricier for Bangladeshis. The U.S. government has rolled out a controversial bond policy for B1/B2 visas targeting Bangladesh among 38 countries, effective January 21, 2026. Applicants must now deposit $15,000, a steep barrier aimed at deterring overstays amid security worries.
Dhaka’s American Embassy clarified that this applies solely to visas issued post-deadline, sparing current holders. During interviews, consular officers will set the exact bond—ranging from $5,000 to $15,000—requiring Form I-352 submission and online agreement through Pay.gov. Crucially, paying early offers no edge and risks fraud, as warned in official notifications.
‘Advance bond payments do not guarantee visas and third-party sites may scam you,’ the embassy posted on X. Refunds hinge on compliance with visa terms; premature payments are lost forever. This builds on prior restrictions, like the halt on non-immigrant visas for 75 nations under Trump-era policies.
Implementation dates differ: Nigeria, Nepal, and others join Bangladesh on January 21, 2026; earlier rollouts hit Gambia (October 11, 2025), Mauritania (October 23, 2025), and Malawi (August 20, 2025). The policy underscores America’s focus on high-overstay nations, potentially slashing application volumes from South Asia and Africa.
For Bangladeshi families, businesses, and tourists, this means rethinking U.S. trips. While intended to bolster security, it raises equity questions in a world where economic disparities already limit global access. As deadlines approach, embassies urge official channels only to avoid pitfalls.