New US visa rider for Bangladeshis in UAE

They'll need to furnish up to $15,000 bond for business, tourist visas from today

- BY JUSTIN VARGHESE

Bangladeshi nationals living in the UAE and applying for US business or tourist visas will face a new financial requirement from January 21, 2026, under an expanded US visa bond programme.

As per a latest tweet from the US Embassy Dhaka, eligible Bangladeshi applicants for B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas may be required to pay a visa bond of up to $15,000 before a visa is issued.

The embassy said the bond requirement applies only after a consular officer determines that an applicant is otherwise eligible for a visa. Applicants were also warned not to pay any bond before their visa interview.

Bonds start at $5,000