Dhaka, 7 January 2026 – Bangladeshi nationals planning to travel to the United States on business or tourist visas will face new requirements from later this month, as Bangladesh has been included in a U.S. visa bond pilot program set to take effect on January 21, 2026.Under the program, certain Bangladeshi applicants for B1/B2 visas will be required to post a mandatory visa bond before being allowed to travel. The decision, announced by the U.S. Department of State, places Bangladesh among more than 40 countries selected based on visa overstay data compiled by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Officials said Bangladeshi passport holders who are otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa may be asked to post a bond of USD 5,000, USD 10,000, or USD 15,000, depending on the outcome of their visa interview. The bond amount will be determined solely at the discretion of the consular officer and assessed on a case-by-case basis. Applicants instructed to post a bond must complete DHS Form I-352 (Immigration Bond) and submit payment exclusively through the U.S. government’s official online payment system, Pay.gov. U.S. authorities have cautioned applicants against using third-party websites or intermediaries, emphasizing that the government will not take responsibility for payments made outside its official platforms. Officials also clarified that paying a visa bond does not guarantee visa approval. Any payment made without direct instruction from a consular officer will not be refunded, even if the visa is ultimately denied. As part of the bond conditions, Bangladeshi travelers covered by the program will be required to enter and exit the United States only through designated airports, namely Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, and Washington Dulles International Airport. Failure to comply with this requirement could result in denied entry or departure records not being properly registered, potentially leading to bond forfeiture. The visa bond will be automatically canceled and refunded if the traveler leaves the United States on or before the authorized stay expires, does not use the visa before it expires, or is denied entry at a U.S. port of entry. However, DHS may determine a bond breach if a visa holder overstays, fails to depart, or attempts to change immigration status, including applying for asylum. Such cases will be reviewed by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the bond amount may be forfeited. The visa bond requirement has been introduced under Section 221(g)(3) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and implemented through a Temporary Final Rule, with the program being tested on a pilot basis. U.S. authorities say the policy is intended to address concerns related to B1/B2 visa overstay rates. In a public advisory, U.S. officials urged Bangladeshi applicants to wait for explicit instructions from consular officers before posting any bond, avoid agents claiming to facilitate bond payments, and strictly comply with all travel and departure conditions to ensure eligibility for bond refunds. The inclusion of Bangladesh in the program is expected to have a notable impact on tourists, business travelers, and family visitors planning trips to the United States from 2026 onward.
Wow — this new U.S. travel rule is definitely grabbing everyone’s attention! Starting January 21, Bangladeshi visitors planning trips to the United States for tourism or business might need to put down a pretty serious refundable security deposit — between $5,000 and $15,000 — before their visa is issued. It’s part of a bigger pilot programme where the amount is decided at the visa interview, and the idea is to encourage people to stick to their planned travel dates.
Of course, the deposit isn’t a fee — you can get it back if you follow the rules and leave on time — but for many people, especially families or first‑time travellers, it’s a big number to think about up front. Some see it as a tough new hurdle, while others argue it’s just another part of an evolving visa process.
Whatever your travel plans, it’s a good reminder to stay updated on changing requirements and plan ahead — because a dream trip can quickly become a lot more complicated if you’re not prepared for what’s now required at the visa counter.