The US Embassy in Dhaka has announced that, starting January 21, 2026, Bangladeshi nationals approved for B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas to the United States will be required to post a visa bond of up to USD 15,000 after their visa is granted, as part of an expanded visa bond pilot programme initiated by the US State Department.

The bond requirement applies only to new visa approvals on or after January 21 and does not apply to valid B1/B2 visas issued before that date. The amount — which could range from $5,000 to $15,000 — is set by US consular officers during the visa interview and is intended to ensure that visitors comply with the terms of their stay.

The embassy has issued a strong warning against paying any bond before a visa is approved, emphasising that advance payments do not guarantee visa issuance and that third-party websites offering such services may be scams. Payments made ahead of the visa interview are not refundable.

Under the broader policy, 38 countries, including Bangladesh, have been added to the pilot programme requiring such bonds. Nationals of these countries may be asked to post deposits of up to $15,000 if otherwise deemed eligible for a B1/B2 visa, with the exact amount determined at the time of the consular decision.

Applicants should only post bonds when directed by a consular officer, using official US government payment systems. The bond is refundable if visa holders comply with all terms of their US stay and depart before the authorised date.