US places Bangladesh on visa bond list; travellers may need to deposit up to $15,000

President Donald Trump’s administration has expanded its visa bond policy to include 25 additional countries, among them Bangladesh, meaning their citizens may be required to deposit up to $15,000 to enter the United States, according to the US State Department website on Tuesday.

With the latest additions, the list now covers 38 countries, largely from Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. The new requirements will take effect on January 21, the website said.

Venezuela has also been added to the list, following the seizure of its ousted leader Nicolás Maduro by US forces over the weekend and his transfer to New York.

Under the policy, citizens of the listed countries who are otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 (business or tourism) visa must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. The amount will be set during the visa interview, the State Department said.

Applicants must accept the bond conditions and make payment through the US Treasury Department’s online platform, Pay.gov.

The visa bond initiative began as a pilot program in August with a smaller group of countries. US authorities say the measure is intended to discourage visitors from overstaying visas issued for business or tourism.

Since returning to office last January, Republican President Trump has pursued a hardline immigration agenda, including stepped-up deportations, visa and green card revocations, and increased scrutiny of immigrants’ social media activity and past statements.

Human rights organizations have strongly criticized the administration’s immigration and travel policies, arguing they undermine due process and free speech. Trump and his supporters maintain the measures are necessary to strengthen national security.