US Makes Visa Bond Rule Permanent for Bangladesh

The United States will make permanent a visa bond programme that could require applicants from Bangladesh and 49 other countries to post bonds of up to US$20,000 when applying for certain US visas, according to a federal notice published on Friday.

The programme applies to B1 and B2 visas, which are issued for business and tourism travel.

Under the rule, consular officers may require eligible non-immigrant visa applicants to provide a bond of up to US$20,000 as a condition for receiving a visa.

According to the notice, data collected from the 2025 visa bond pilot programme indicated that the measure could serve as an effective tool to encourage compliance among visa holders and reduce overstays.

During the pilot programme, consular officers could require bonds of US$5,000, US$10,000 or up to US$15,000. The final rule removes the US$5,000 option and raises the maximum bond amount to US$20,000.

The regulation is scheduled to take effect on 3 August, when it is officially published in the Federal Register.

The programme covers citizens of 50 countries, including Bangladesh, with 30 of the listed nations located in Africa.

US officials say the policy is intended to reduce visa overstays. However, immigration advocates argue that the requirement could discourage legitimate travellers from visiting the United States.

Rights groups have also criticised the broader immigration policies of President Donald Trump's administration, alleging that some measures undermine due process and create difficulties for immigrants and visa applicants.

The Trump administration has defended its immigration policies as necessary to strengthen national security and curb illegal immigration. It has also introduced stricter requirements for certain visa applicants, including higher fees and expanded social media screening procedures.