Passport holder of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica applying for B1/B2 visitor visas to the United States are now subject to visa bonds ranging from US$5,000 to US$15,000, according to U.S. authorities. The two countries are among 38 affected by the new measure, which is aimed at reducing visa overstays.
In a release from the U.S. Department of State, officials explained that the bond requirement applies to citizens or nationals travelling on passports issued by any of the listed countries who are seeking B1/B2 visas.
The specific bond amount, US$5,000, US$10,000, or US$15,000 is determined during the visa interview process. Applicants must agree to the bond conditions through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s online payment platform, regardless of where the application is submitted.
The Department of State emphasized that payment of the bond does not guarantee visa approval. The release also warned that if bond fees are paid without explicit instruction from a consular officer, the funds will not be refunded.
In addition to the financial impact, the policy introduces strict travel conditions. Affected visa holders are required to enter and depart the United States through one of three designated ports of entry. Failure to comply could result in denial of entry or forfeiture of the bond if departure records are not properly documented.
The designated ports of entry are Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD). The exclusion of Miami International Airport—a major gateway for Caribbean travel—significantly limits travel options for citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.
The new measure has sparked widespread concern across the Caribbean, with questions raised about its potential effects on families, travel accessibility, and diplomatic relations between the region and the United States.
Observers have also noted the absence of a coordinated response from regional organizations such as CARICOM and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, as citizens of other Caribbean nations with Citizenship by Investment Programmes continue to urge their governments to act to avoid facing similar restrictions.