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Published : 08 Jan 2026, 07:50 PM
Foreign Advisor Touhid Hossain has said Bangladesh’s presence on the list of countries whose citizens must post a bond of up to $15,000 to obtain a US visa is “not unusual”.
Asked about the development on Thursday, he acknowledged it was “unfortunate and painful” but emphasised it was not unexpected.
“The decision taken by the United States is not only about Bangladesh. Several countries, including Bangladesh, are on the list. Which countries? Those facing serious immigration issues,” Touhid said.
“If you look at US statistics, among those exploiting their social system illegally, Bangladeshis are among the highest. So it is not very surprising that Bangladesh is included when restrictions are imposed on certain countries.”
On Tuesday, the US State Department updated the list of countries subject to visa bond requirements, adding Bangladesh alongside several others.
Following the latest update, citizens of 38 countries now fall under the bond condition, Reuters said. It added that the rules take effect for the newly-listed countries, including Bangladesh, on Jan 21.
Under this requirement, eligible B1/B2 visa applicants from Bangladesh must post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000. At the current exchange rate, the maximum bond is nearly Tk 1.83 million. The bond is refundable, provided the visa is denied or applicants comply with other conditions, and must be paid through the US Department of the Treasury’s online portal, pay.gov.
The primary aim of the visa bond is to ensure visa holders do not overstay their permitted duration in the US.
Paying the bond, however, does not guarantee a visa; the consular officer’s decision at the interview remains final.
Referring to years of irregular migration, Touhid said the situation did not emerge overnight.
“If all of them had gone abroad in the last year, I would have said we were responsible. If the problem had developed within this one year, I would have said the government had responsibility,” he said.
“This system has been in place for a long time. So if policy responsibility is to be assigned, it lies with all previous governments. We have not been able to change it.”
He said neither the current interim government nor past administrations had the capacity to fully stop such population movement.
“From the policy side, what I can say is that from the very first day we have spoken out against irregular migration. I have said this publicly,” he said.
Touhid urged media outlets and society to stop viewing those involved in irregular migration only as “victims”.
“The attitude in newspapers and media is that if someone dies crossing the Mediterranean or is rescued after nearly drowning, he is a victim deserving full sympathy,” he said.
“I fully agree that he is a victim. But the law has also been broken. A young man from a village who travels to Kenya on a tourist visa clearly does not have the means to go there as a tourist.”
He said cooperation from returnees was necessary to prosecute those responsible for organising illegal migration.
“I want these accidents and tragedies to stop,” he added. “That is why I am saying those who return must be questioned. I am putting it very politely.
“But if help is taken, they must be detained and asked who they paid. If those people cannot be caught or jailed, this problem will never be solved.”
Sympathy must remain with victims, he noted, but efforts must focus on identifying and prosecuting those who exploit them.
“That requires social support. Even after this interim government leaves, any future government will need public acceptance that a crackdown is necessary. Without that, there will be no solution.”
Asked whether Bangladesh would seek exemption from the US visa bond list, the advisor said the government would pursue the issue through standard diplomatic channels.
“This has just happened. We will certainly follow the usual process and try to secure an exemption. We will apply.”
‘FULL SUPPORT’ FOR NAZRUL’S STANCE
Touhid also voiced full support for Sport Advisor Asif Nazrul’s remarks on excluding Bangladeshi pacer Mustafizur Rahman from the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the decision not to send the national team to India for the T20 World Cup.
“I will say this in one line. I fully support what Asif Nazrul has said.”
He raised concerns over security for players and supporters, saying assurances could not be relied upon.
“A cricketer goes for a limited time, plays, then returns to the hotel. If his security cannot be ensured, that is why he was removed. But when our team goes, supporters will also travel. How can we be sure they will be safe?”
Referring to “anti-Bangladesh rhetoric” by Hindu nationalist groups, he said ensuring safety for all would be difficult for Indian authorities.
“That is why we believe we should play outside India, where there will be no such problems,” he added.
On whether trade with India would continue during this period, Touhid said economic interests would be protected where necessary.
“Every issue has some negative impact. But where our interests are involved, we will not damage them.
“If buying rice serves our interest and we can get it at a lower price, and if India exports rice, then traders purchasing it poses no problem.”
Asked whether travel visas for Indian nationals had been suspended ahead of elections in Bangladesh, he said no such decision had been taken.
“What I have done is ask our missions where problems have arisen to temporarily close visa sections. That is a matter of security,” he added.
