The US government has escalated travel barriers for Bangladesh by adding it to the visa bond program, a step decried by Muhammad Yunus’s Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain as ‘very unfortunate.’ This policy mandates hefty financial guarantees from applicants, spotlighting immigration challenges.
Announced Thursday, the list groups Bangladesh with nations such as Antigua and Barbuda, Botswana, Fiji, Gabon, Kyrgyzstan, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tajikistan, Tonga, and Vanuatu, among others. B1/B2 visa hopefuls must furnish bonds of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000, finalized during consular interviews.
Hossain, addressing media in Dhaka, contextualized the decision: ‘Bangladesh is one of many countries grappling with immigration hurdles. While not unexpected, it’s deeply regrettable and causes us sorrow.’ Reports from United News of Bangladesh and The Daily Star amplified his stance.
Per the US State Department website, applicants submit Form I-352 only upon consular instruction, agreeing to bond terms via Pay.gov. Direct payment links ensure secure transactions, with warnings against external platforms. The department emphasizes that bonds secure potential overstay liabilities but do not assure visa issuance.
This development arrives as Bangladesh stabilizes under Yunus’s interim administration following mass protests that toppled the previous regime. Economically, it poses hurdles for migrant workers and students reliant on US opportunities.
Critics argue the policy unfairly burdens developing nations, potentially curbing legitimate travel. Dhaka may seek clarifications or exemptions through diplomatic channels. Meanwhile, the US continues refining its vetting processes amid rising global migration pressures.
Long-term, Bangladesh could invest in emigration reforms to exit the list, fostering trust with Washington. For now, aspiring travelers brace for added financial and procedural rigors in pursuing the American dream.
