US Embassy outlines visa bond refund rules for Bangladeshis

The US Embassy in Dhaka detailed the operational guidelines for its visa bond pilot program, outlining how eligible Bangladeshi applicants can secure a refund of their bond money on Monday (June 8).

Under the newly announced program, applicants deemed eligible for a US visa must pay the bond amount within 30 days. To qualify for a full refund, travelers must strictly adhere to visa regulations during their stay in the United States, which includes refraining from unauthorized employment and returning to Bangladesh within the permitted timeframe.

The US Embassy outlined the following specific steps for the process:

Payment notification: Following the visa interview, if an applicant is deemed eligible, the consular officer will provide specific payment instructions along with a direct link to pay.gov.

Payment timeline: The required bond must be paid within 30 days.

Visa terms: Successful applicants will be issued a single-entry visa with a maximum validity of 3 months.

Designated entry: Travelers must enter the United States through specific, designated ports of entry.

Refund process: Upon returning to Bangladesh, the bond will be automatically canceled and the money refunded, provided all visa conditions—such as not working in the US and returning within the scheduled time—have been fully met.

The visa bond requirement is applicable to Bangladeshi citizens applying for B-1 and B-2 visas. The bond amount ranges from a minimum of $5,000 to a maximum of $15,000.