A United States visa bond programme requiring certain visitors to post a refundable bond of up to US$20,000 before receiving a visa has officially been made permanent, affecting nationals from four Caribbean countries.
Beginning August 3, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Cuba, Dominica and Grenada may be required to pay a bond of up to US$20,000 when applying for B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visas if a U.S. consular officer determines one is necessary. The programme, initially introduced as a pilot, was made permanent after U.S. officials said it helped reduce visa overstays.
- Advertisement -
Under the permanent rule, the maximum bond has increased from US$15,000 to US$20,000, while the previous US$5,000 minimum option has been eliminated. The bond is refundable if the visitor complies with the terms of the visa, including departing the United States before their authorized stay expires.
The programme now applies to nationals from 50 countries, most of them in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean. U.S. officials say the policy is intended to discourage visa overstays and strengthen compliance with immigration laws by requiring higher-risk applicants to provide a financial guarantee before traveling.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has already announced that it is lobbying Washington to reverse the decision, arguing that the measure places an unfair financial burden on legitimate travelers and could negatively affect tourism, family visits and business travel.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the bond requirement is not automatic for every applicant from the listed countries. Instead, consular officers determine on a case-by-case basis whether a bond is required after deciding that an applicant is otherwise eligible for a visa. A bond also does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
The policy has drawn criticism from immigration advocates and human rights organizations, including the Haitian Bridge Alliance, which argues that the programme disproportionately affects developing nations and could discourage legitimate travel by placing a significant financial obstacle before prospective visitors.
Supporters of the programme, however, say it provides an incentive for visitors to comply with U.S. immigration rules while helping reduce the number of individuals who remain in the country after their visas expire. Federal officials have indicated that additional countries could be added to the programme in the future if warranted by visa overstay data.
