Bangladesh’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain expressed disappointment over the Trump administration’s move to include Bangladesh in a list of countries requiring citizens to pay up to USD 15,000 as a visa bond to travel to the US. Hossain stated that this decision, affecting 25 nations, was regrettable and not unique to Bangladesh, citing immigration challenges as the reason behind it. The US State Department specified that applicants from these countries, including Bangladesh, may need to post a bond of varying amounts if found eligible for a B1/B2 visa.
Hossain, while addressing reporters in Dhaka, emphasized that the US administration’s action against Bangladesh was unfortunate. The decision has sparked concerns in Bangladesh, with media outlets like United News of Bangladesh and Daily Star highlighting Hossain’s disapproval. The list of countries subject to the visa bond requirement includes nations like Algeria, Nigeria, and Venezuela, alongside Bangladesh, among others.
The US State Department outlined the procedure for applicants, requiring them to submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and agree to the bond terms through the online payment platform Pay.gov. It clarified that the bond amount, ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 15,000, would be determined during the visa interview process. Additionally, the Department warned against using third-party websites for bond payments, emphasizing that fees paid without consular officer direction would not be refunded.
