The United States is escalating its visa scrutiny with a bold new mandate: Bangladeshi applicants for B1/B2 visas need a $15,000 surety bond from January 21, 2026. Part of a 38-country crackdown, this step addresses overstay risks and security threats, as outlined by the Department of Homeland Security.
Valid B1/B2 visas issued before the date are exempt, but newcomers face Form I-352 filing and bond commitment via Pay.gov at interview time. Amounts are tiered at $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 based on individual assessments. The Dhaka Embassy stressed no pre-payments, flagging scams from unauthorized agents.
Official X notifications warn: ‘Quick payments neither assure approval nor protect against fraud. Interview-prior fees are non-refundable.’ Full adherence to visa rules triggers bond return. This follows earlier Trump policies suspending visas for 75 countries, signaling sustained tough enforcement.
Rollout timelines vary strategically—January 1, 2026, for Bhutan, Guinea, and five others; August 20, 2025, for Malawi and Zambia; October dates for Gambia and Tanzania. Nations like Cuba, Nigeria, Nepal, and Venezuela align with Bangladesh’s schedule.
Implications ripple across regions: reduced travel for commerce, tourism, and family visits. Proponents hail it as a smart deterrent; detractors decry it as a financial wall for low-income applicants. With global migration debates intensifying, this policy exemplifies U.S. priorities in an era of tightened borders.