Bangladeshi travelers may face up to $15,000 deposit for US visa

The United States has added Bangladesh to its updated visa bond list, introducing a new financial condition for Bangladeshi nationals seeking temporary US visas.

From 21 January, applicants may be required to deposit a refundable bond of up to $15,000 to obtain a visa.

The US State Department updated the list on 6 January, placing Bangladesh among 38 countries whose citizens may be subject to the visa bond requirement, mainly for tourist and business visas. Even if all eligibility criteria are met, consular officers will have the discretion to impose the bond on a case-by-case basis.

The bond has been set at three levels—$5,000, $10,000, or $15,000—depending on the applicant’s profile, travel purpose, and interview assessment. Any required payment must be made through the US Treasury’s Pay.gov platform, and applicants have been advised not to deposit funds unless formally instructed in writing.

US authorities say the measure is aimed at reducing visa overstays. The bond will be refunded if the traveler leaves the US within the authorized period, does not travel despite receiving a visa, or is denied entry. However, the amount will be forfeited in cases of overstaying or visa status changes, including asylum applications.

Travelers under the bond scheme must enter the US through one of three designated airports—Boston Logan, New York’s JFK, or Washington Dulles.

Officials say the initiative was launched on a pilot basis in August last year and targets countries with comparatively higher overstay rates. Analysts warn the move will make US travel more costly and complex for Bangladeshi visitors, particularly for short-term tourism and business trips.