The U.S. has implemented a new visa bond policy, requiring citizens of Dominica and Antigua to post bonds of up to $15,000 when applying for a U.S. visa. This action draws attention to the two Caribbean Community nations, signaling negative scrutiny from Washington.
Late last month, the State Department suspended travel and visa access for citizens of the two Eastern Caribbean nations, citing concerns that the administration was dissatisfied with the countries’ processes for vetting foreigners who apply for passports and citizenship under their CIP investment program.
The suspensions prompted significant political discussions domestically as officials met with the department to negotiate a possible system that would allow current visa holders to continue traveling to the US. The suspension also led students studying in the US to return to campuses before the new year to preempt any potential immigration issues.
As authorities work to resolve the situation, the administration has introduced an additional requirement for citizens and nationals of the two countries by grouping them with several African countries, whose citizens must pay a bond of between $5,000 and $15,000 when applying for a US visa. The only other Caribbean country subject to this requirement is Cuba, which the administration commented on in relation to developments in Venezuela.
The new financial bond system takes effect on Jan. 21. The announcement states, “Any citizen or national traveling on a passport from one of these countries, who is otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa, must post a bond for $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000. The amount is determined at the visa interview. The applicant must also submit a Department of Homeland Security Form I-352. Applicants must agree to the bond terms through the Department of the Treasury’s Pay.gov platform. This requirement applies regardless of place of application,” the announcement stated.
The bond payment to the US does not guarantee the granting of a visa, officials said, noting that applicants must arrange to pay the bond only after being directed by a consular officer.
It is purported to serve as a deterrent to visa holders who overstay their time, as the money is refunded when the person returns to their home base. Payment is also refunded if the application is denied, the announcement stated.
Dominica and Antigua are part of a group of 38 countries, most of them in Africa, with a few in the hemisphere, which are being mandated to pay the visa application bond. These include Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Burundi, Cape Verde, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Fiji, Gabon, Ivory Coast, Kyrgyzstan, Nepal, Nigeria, Senegal, Tajikistan, Togo, Tonga, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela and Zimbabwe. Previously, Bhutan, Botswana, the Central African Republic, the Gambia, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Malawi, Mauritania, Namibia, São Tomé and Principe, Tanzania, Turkmenistan, and Zambia were included on an earlier list last year.
