A US visa bond program, intended to curb overstays under the B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) categories, may instead trigger a surge in rejections for short-term stay applications. Analysts warn that authentic entrepreneurs from Bangladesh and other developing nations could begin bypassing the advanced US market for more accessible business destinations.
According to an anonymous US State Department official, approximately 1,370 B1/B2 visas were issued to Bangladeshi citizens in May 2025. Insiders within the Bangladeshi business community report that rejection rates have already escalated in recent months. They argue that genuine entrepreneurs rarely overstay abroad, as managing their domestic factories and businesses requires their constant attention.
The majority of those traveling to the US on B2 tourist visas are professionals who typically take only one extended holiday per year. Consular officers primarily target fake businesspeople and tourists who are likely to violate US immigration laws.
In August 2025, the US government introduced the controversial Visa Bond Pilot Program to reduce overstays by short-term visitors. Under the program, certain applicants for B1 and B2 visas from designated countries, including Bangladesh, may be required to post a refundable bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 before a visa is issued.
The bond amount is determined by a consular officer during the visa interview based on overstay risk assessments. This requirement is separate from standard visa fees and is administered through the US Department of the Treasury’s Pay.gov portal.
Many Bangladeshi entrepreneurs with US-based business interests have expressed concern about the financial burden of posting a visa bond. They fear the extra cost will reduce opportunities for in-person meetings and hinder business growth. Observers point to a heightened risk of curtailed business engagement due to this new consular intervention.
Historically, consular guidance opposed such bonds due to administrative challenges. However, the new pilot program, grounded in Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), reverses this stance for nationals from countries with high overstay rates or perceived weak screening processes. Effective January 21, 2026, the bond requirement applies to nationals from 38 countries, including Bangladesh, Nepal, Nigeria, Venezuela, Uganda, and others across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean.
Visa applicants from these nations may face stricter conditions, including single-entry visas valid for entry within three months of issuance, with typical authorized stays limited to 30 days. Additionally, their arrival and departure must be recorded at designated US airports, usually Boston Logan, New York JFK, or Washington Dulles. The bond is forfeited if travelers overstay, work without authorization, or change status without approval; refunds are issued upon lawful and timely departure.
Critics argue that the high bond amounts may discourage legitimate travel, disproportionately affect low- and middle-income applicants, and strain international business relations. US officials, however, defend the program as an essential tool for ensuring immigration compliance and strengthening screening practices—part of a broader national security strategy.
The business relationship between Bangladesh and the US has grown significantly in recent years, with bilateral trade exceeding $9 billion in 2023. Bangladesh is now the 47th largest trading partner of the US. Key Bangladeshi exports include garments, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and agricultural products, while the US exports machinery, electronics, chemicals, and industrial goods to Bangladesh. Bangladesh’s textile and apparel sector remains its largest export to the US, accounting for more than $6 billion annually.
