Archive · 20 Jan 2026
US Adds 38 Nations to Visa Bond List
The US government has added 25 more countries to a list where people need to pay a big bond to visit the US.
This makes the total number of countries on the list 38.
Most of these countries are in Africa, Latin America, and South Asia.
The bond is like a deposit to make sure visitors don't stay longer than their visa allows.
The bond is between $5,000 and $15,000, and it starts on January 21, 2026.
People who already have a valid visa before this date don't need to pay.
The US Embassy says not to pay the bond before the visa is approved and to use only official channels to pay.
The money will be returned if the visitor follows all the rules during their stay in the US.
Bangladesh's foreign advisor said the decision was 'very painful and unfortunate,' but noted that it was not entirely unexpected due to immigration issues.
US adds 25 countries to visa bond list, totaling 38 nations
Bond of up to $15,000 required for visa applicants from these countries
Rule effective from January 21, 2026, primarily affecting Africa, Latin America, and South Asia
Bond must be paid only after visa approval via official channels
Bond will be refunded if visa terms are followed
- Who
- US government
- What
- Added 25 countries to visa bond list, totaling 38 nations
- When
- Effective January 21, 2026
- Where
- United States
- Why
- To discourage visa overstays for tourism or business
US Government
Bangladesh Government
Purpose of Bond
US Government
To discourage visa overstays for tourism or business
Bangladesh Government
Not entirely unexpected due to immigration issues
- Number of countries added
- 25
- Total countries on list
- 38
- Bond amount
- $5,000–$15,000
- Effective date
- January 21, 2026
- Primary regions affected
- Africa, Latin America, South Asia
- Purpose of bond
- Discourage visa overstays
- Payment instructions
- Only after visa approval via official channels
- Refund conditions
- If visa terms are followed
Sources
Trump tightens visa rules for Bangladesh & other nations, must pay Rs 13 lakh before entering US
Bangladeshis With Business, Tourist Visas To Pay $15,000 Bond From Jan 21 To Enter US
New US visa rules: Bangladesh among dozens of countries to now pay $15,000 bond for tourist, business visits
US to require Bangladeshis to pay visa bond of up to $15,000 for B1/B2 visas from January 21, 2026
US Embassy Dhaka mandates up to $15,000 bond for Bangladeshi B1/B2 visas from January 21 - Telegraph India
‘Payment before interview non-refundable’: US visa aspirants from Bangladesh told to pay up $15,000 bond
Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan among 38 to face US visa bond up to $15,000
US imposes $5,000–$15,000 visa bond on Bangladeshi B1/B2 applicants from Jan 21
