United States Embassy has issued a stark warning to Bangladeshi visa applicants, advising them against making any visa bond payments prior to their interviews. The embassy emphasised that such advance payments do not secure visa approval and leave applicants vulnerable to potential fraud.
In an official statement published on its verified Facebook page on Tuesday, the embassy clarified that paying a bond in advance does not ensure a visa will be granted. It further highlighted that third-party websites offering these services may be deceptive.
“Paying early does not guarantee you a visa, and third-party sites can be scams,” the embassy stated. It added that any payment made before the visa interview is non-refundable.
The bond amount, it noted, would only be returned if the visa holder complies fully with all the stipulated conditions of their stay.
This advisory precedes the implementation of a new US policy, effective from 21 January, which will require Bangladeshi citizens approved for B1/B2 (business or tourist) visas to post a bond of up to $15,000.
The requirement will not apply to individuals who already hold a valid B1/B2 visa issued before the aforementioned date.
Earlier this month, the administration of US President Donald Trump extended this provision to include 25 additional countries, adding Bangladesh to a list of nations whose citizens may be subject to the bond rule.
According to the US State Department’s website, eligible B1/B2 visa applicants from the listed countries could be asked to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The specific amount will be determined during the visa interview.
Applicants must agree to the bond conditions and are required to make payments solely through the US Treasury Department’s official online portal, Pay.gov, the State Department confirmed.
The expanded list now encompasses 38 countries, with the majority from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. US authorities have stated that the bond requirement is intended to act as a deterrent against visitors overstaying their visas issued for tourism or business.
