Breaking: Bangladesh joins a roster of 24 countries under new US visa restrictions demanding up to $15,000 bonds from travelers. Touhid Hossain, Foreign Affairs Advisor to Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, slammed the policy as ‘very unfortunate,’ voicing national disappointment.
The US State Department’s update targets nations perceived as high-risk for visa overstays, including heavyweights like Cuba, Nigeria, Nepal, and Venezuela alongside Bangladesh. Eligible B1/B2 applicants face bond amounts assessed at interviews—$5K, $10K, or $15K.
In Dhaka interactions with journalists, Hossain stated, ‘It’s not just us; we’re listed due to immigration issues. Nothing odd about it, but undoubtedly regrettable—it hurts.’ Coverage by local stalwarts United News of Bangladesh and The Daily Star captured the sentiment.
Procedurally, the State Department outlines Form I-352 filing via Pay.gov post-consular directive. Applicants affirm bond conditions online, with non-refundable fees for unapproved visas. Third-party payments risk forfeiture, as the US disclaims external liabilities.
Contextually, this aligns with America’s stringent post-pandemic immigration stance, prioritizing enforcement amid backlog clearances. For Bangladesh, reeling from political flux, the timing exacerbates outbound mobility woes for professionals, families, and tourists.
The comprehensive list—Algeria to Zimbabwe—signals a multilateral approach to compliance gaps. Dhaka’s response hints at diplomatic maneuvers to mitigate fallout, possibly through enhanced repatriation pacts.
Stakeholders urge Bangladeshi authorities to tackle underlying factors like passport integrity and return rates. As interim governance charts recovery, this US hurdle tests resilience in international engagements, potentially reshaping travel dynamics for years.