The US Embassy has warned Bangladeshi visa applicants against paying any visa bond before their interview, saying advance payments do not guarantee visa approval and may expose applicants to fraud.
In a statement posted on its verified Facebook page, the embassy said that early payments neither ensure a visa nor protect applicants from scams run by third-party websites. It added that any payment made before the interview is non-refundable, and a bond will be returned only if the visa holder complies with its conditions.
From January 21, Bangladeshi citizens approved for B1/B2 (business or tourist) US visas will be required to post a bond of up to $15,000. The rule will not apply to holders of valid B1/B2 visas issued before that date.
Earlier this month, the administration of US President Donald Trump added 25 countries, including Bangladesh, to a list of nations whose citizens may be required to post bonds of up to $15,000 to enter the United States, according to Reuters, citing the US State Department.
The State Department said applicants travelling on passports from the listed countries, if otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must 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 terms and make payments through the US Treasury’s official platform, Pay.gov.
The list now includes 38 countries, mainly from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. The policy for the newly added countries will take effect on January 21 and is intended to discourage visa overstays.
