The US Embassy in Dhaka announced that starting January 21, 2026, Bangladeshi citizens applying for B1/B2 (business and tourist) visas will have to pay a bond of up to $15,000. This new rule applies only to visas issued on or after that date. Those with valid B1/B2 visas issued before January 21, 2026, will not need to post the bond. The embassy advised applicants, "Do NOT pay your bond in advance. Paying early does not guarantee you a visa, and third-party sites can be scams." It also warned, "any payment made before the visa interview is NOT refundable." The bond will be returned if visa holders follow all conditions of their stay in the US. This bond requirement is part of a policy by the US Department of State that demands citizens from certain countries to provide a financial guarantee once found eligible for a B1/B2 visa. As of January 8, Bangladesh is included with other nations like Algeria, Nepal, Nigeria, and Venezuela. The implementation dates for these countries range from August 2025 to January 2026. Applicants asked to post a bond must complete Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and make the payment via the official US Department of Treasury’s platform Pay.gov. Payments through unofficial websites or before official instructions will not be accepted. Importantly, paying the bond does not guarantee visa approval. Applicants should only pay after a consular officer approves their visa and provides the official payment link.