US visa bond increased for citizens of Bangladesh and 50 other countries

The United States has made the visa bond programme permanent for business and tourist visas. Under the new rules, citizens of Bangladesh and 49 other designated countries will be required to pay a predetermined visa bond. The maximum visa bond amount has also been raised from $15,000 to $20,000.

According to a draft notice published in the Federal Register on Friday, the State Department decided to make the programme permanent after a one-year review found sufficient evidence of its effectiveness. The new rules will take effect from Monday. Additional countries may be added to the list in the future.

Under the new regulations, the previous option of a $5,000 bond has been eliminated. Instead, consular officers will now be able to set bonds at either $10,000 or $20,000 per applicant.

The provision will apply only to B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visa applicants. Applicants from listed countries must submit the required bond before their visa interview. If the visa is refused, the full amount will be refunded. If the visa is granted and the applicant complies with all visa conditions while in the US, the bond amount will also be refunded after the visit.

The Trump administration introduced the programme on a trial basis last August to reduce overstays — instances where individuals remain in the US after their visa expires. According to US officials, it costs the government approximately $18,000 to arrest and deport a person who overstays their visa.

The new list includes many African countries, along with Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan. As a result, citizens of these countries will now face a permanent visa bond requirement for business and tourist visas to the US. The decision may affect regular travellers to the US, future applicants and their families.