US Embassy warns Bangladeshi visa applicants against advance bond payment

The US Embassy in Dhaka today (19 January) warned Bangladeshi visa applicants against paying any visa bond before facing interviews, cautioning that advance payments do not guarantee visa approval or protect applicants from fraud or scams.

In a statement posted on its verified Facebook page, the embassy said that third-party websites offering such services may be fraudulent. "Paying early does not guarantee you a visa, and third-party sites can be scams," the post reads.

The embassy also said any bond paid before a visa interview is non-refundable, and a bond would be refunded only if the visa holder fully complies with the terms and conditions attached to the visa.

The warning comes ahead of a new US policy set to take effect on 21 January, under which Bangladeshi citizens approved for B1/B2 business or tourist visas may be required to post a bond of up to $15,000.

The requirement, however, will not apply to holders of valid B1/B2 visas issued before that date.

Earlier this month, the Trump administration added 25 more countries, including Bangladesh, to a list of nations whose citizens may be required to post entry bonds, according to media reports published on 6 January, citing the US State Department website.

The State Department said eligible B1/B2 visa applicants from the listed countries may be asked to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000, with the amount determined during the visa interview.

Applicants must agree to the bond conditions and make payments exclusively through the US Treasury Department's official online platform, Pay.gov.

With the latest additions, the bond requirement now applies to citizens of 38 countries, most of which are located in Africa, Latin America and South Asia, aimed at discouraging visitors from overstaying visas issued for tourism or business purposes.