Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica are among travelers from 38 countries now facing a new and potentially prohibitive requirement to post visa bonds of up to US$15,000 to enter the United States, following a major expansion of U.S. immigration controls announced by the U.S. State Department.
The policy significantly broadens a pilot visa bond programme that U.S. officials say is intended to reduce visa overstays. Critics, however, argue that the measure creates a steep financial barrier that disproportionately impacts citizens of developing nations, including small island states in the Caribbean.
Less than a week after the programme was extended to seven additional countries—bringing the total to 13—the U.S. government announced on Tuesday that 25 more nations would be added, nearly tripling the scope of the initiative to 38 countries in total.
According to an official notice published on travel.state.gov, the expanded visa bond requirement is scheduled to take effect on January 21.
Newly added countries include Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Algeria, Angola, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Fiji, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, and Zimbabwe. These join an existing list that already includes several African and Central Asian states.
While most of the countries affected are outside the Caribbean, the inclusion of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica has raised concern across the region, given the deep family, economic, and cultural ties that link Caribbean societies with the United States.
How the visa bond system works
Under the policy, certain non-immigrant visa applicants from listed countries may be required—at the discretion of U.S. consular officers—to post a bond ranging from US$5,000 to US$15,000 as part of the visa application process.
U.S. officials stress that posting a bond does not guarantee visa approval. If an application is denied, the bond is refunded. If a visa is granted, the bond is returned only after the traveler demonstrates full compliance with visa conditions, including leaving the United States before the authorized stay expires.
The bond requirement comes in addition to existing measures, such as mandatory in-person interviews, extensive background checks, disclosure of social media activity, and detailed documentation of personal, family, and travel histories.
Caribbean implications raise concern
For Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, the financial implications are significant. A US$15,000 bond represents more than a year’s income for many households, effectively placing U.S. travel beyond reach for large sections of the population.
The impact extends beyond leisure travel. Family visits for weddings, funerals, and medical emergencies could become financially unfeasible. Students, young professionals, and entrepreneurs seeking short-term educational, cultural, or business opportunities may also be priced out.
Given the importance of diaspora connections, remittances, and cross-border engagement for Caribbean economies, analysts warn that the policy could weaken long-standing transnational ties.
We might aswell bury our heads in the sand
Babylon going fall no matter what they try to do to make it hard on us the will suffer
So why are we accepting refugees from the US when we are treated so badly?
To much corruption why u think is the 2 world boss countries dat dr😂😂😂😂😂 svg general go on retirement smart fucker
SVG general never had a CBI and warned the other fools against it.
Trying to see how best they can please the stupid white dictator. Give me a KitKat there please!!
So many questions! First off, Donald wants to “run” Venezuela but yet he’s they are on the restriction list? And then Gaston stay ass kissing while we are suffering from these US government? Come on! As Small Island States we need to get our heads out of our butts and realise what’s happening around us! Togetherness in the region is what we need. Forget about what the US has to offer! We can be each others support. We rather hate each other and kiss the US ass.
I agree with you 100% we need black people unite
Adele said, “this is the end, hold your breathe and count to ten, feel the earth move” right now our sky is falling and we aren’t standing as one. No matter what our heads try! You see what’s happening around us?
I see Donald Trump is getting just what he wanted! He wants the world to bow to him! And he will try anything for that! I’m safe in my little country here in Antigua eh! NUH BADY CAN RUN ME FRAM WAY ME COME FRAM!!!
So antigua.news just had to make my heart hurt me tonight. I retire to bed now.
Dminicans and ANtiguans can hardly buy food where they getting that money. Trump go and wash your foot and drink the water
At least now Antiguans can get a USS visa. It’s expensive but at least possible
John Smith maybe you have that kind of money but most of us cant buy noodles. So yah!!!!!!!!!
Wait a while. Real thing that man
Look how Trump have you all set against your iwn government, instead of realizing what ge up to. He is playing with you all and our Caribbean government. This has nothing to do with no CIP.
Stop try to appease the US by taking their deportees and thing! You csnt negotiate in good faith with that goof ball at the helm. Everytime hou think you have a deal, you end up loosing and our PM not going down like that. Open alternative trade routes. Open up a chanel to travel elsewhere because no Antiguans can afford that bond anyway! At least not the majority of the voting public of A&B. And even with that in my bank account, I find it hard to carry it give their dictator for any reason! Nor do I trust that I will “get it back”!
Honestly, this policy feels less like immigration management and more like punishment by price tag, and it perfectly reflects the kind of hard-line, cold-hearted worldview Donald Trump popularised and normalized.
Let’s call it what it is: wicked, classist, and deliberately exclusionary.
A US$15,000 visa bond isn’t a “deterrent”, it’s a wall made of money. It tells ordinary people from small, developing countries that their ability to visit family, attend a funeral, see a sick relative, explore educational opportunities, or conduct legitimate business is now reserved for the wealthy few. Everyone else? Stay where you are.
This is the same Trump-era logic that reduced human beings to statistics and stereotypes. Instead of treating people as individuals with different circumstances, this policy paints entire nations with one brush, assuming guilt before application. You don’t assess risk anymore — you charge people for the privilege of being presumed innocent.
And let’s talk about the hypocrisy.
The United States loves to lecture the world about freedom, opportunity, and fairness, yet here it is imposing a requirement that many Caribbean families wouldn’t be able to meet even if they emptied their savings, sold a car, and borrowed from relatives abroad. For many households in Antigua and Barbuda or Dominica, US$15,000 represents years of careful living, not spare change.
What makes it especially cruel is how deeply connected the Caribbean is to the U.S. This isn’t casual tourism we’re talking about. These are family ties, diaspora relationships, remittances, church connections, medical referrals, education pathways, lifelines that have existed for generations. This policy doesn’t just restrict travel; it fractures families and communities.
Trump’s immigration philosophy has always been rooted in suspicion, fear, and exclusion, walls, bans, and now bonds. It sends a loud message: If you’re not rich, you’re not welcome. And let’s be honest, that message isn’t being applied evenly across the globe. Wealthy countries don’t face these hurdles. Poor and small nations do.
What’s even more disturbing is how casually this is being rolled out, with little regard for diplomatic relationships or the real human cost. No consultation. No empathy. Just a bureaucratic notice and a start date.
This is why many people see Trump-style policies as wicked, not because they are tough, but because they are devoid of compassion. They don’t just enforce borders; they reinforce inequality.
Don’t worry Trump will be impeached before he can realize
Midterm elections are just around the corner
Again, the incompetence of Gaston Brown and Ron Saunders. We are holding the short end of the stick because of the corruption and affiliation with known crooks and giving passports to nefarious characters.
The more the DAWG opens his mouth,the deeper into the toilet Antigua and Barbuda sinks.
These policies are indicative of a deranged lunatic called Donald Trump. Plan to sit tight folks until Trump is gone and Gaston Brown is gone. Perhaps then, the west,western world will return to some semblance of normalcy.
Mr.Gaston Browne, Mr.Priminister to he’ll with Donald Trump and if it means The USA so be it ,we already struggling socially with our present population, we can accept our born Antiguan and Barbudan deporties and no more. Just now all USA allies will become their opponents so leave them alone. This is about the passport sales,WTO Matter, we doing business with China, Having Chinese embassy,
So we must stay here get no help from then and population suffering
We are friends all and enemies to none.
We will survive and will still show love to our Americans visitors
Ahwahyah! Dominica and Antigua in tings
The repercussions of supporting Venezuela