Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have been added to a list of countries whose passport holders may be required to post visa bonds of up to US$15,000 when applying to enter the United States.
The two Caribbean nations are among 25 countries added to the US State Department’s list under a new policy introduced by the Trump administration.
Other countries on the list include Venezuela, Nigeria, Uganda, Algeria, Angola, and Bangladesh.
The policy, which applies to new visa applications only, is scheduled to take effect on January 21, 2026.
On December 16, 2025, US President Donald Trump issued a proclamation imposing partial visa restrictions on nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.
The restrictions affect non-immigrant visitor visas in the B-1 (business), B-2 (tourism), B-1/B-2 (combined), F and M (student), and J (work and study-based exchange programmes) categories, as well as their spouses and dependents.
The proclamation said Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica were added to the list due to security concerns related to their citizenship by investment programmes.
The proclamation includes exceptions for lawful permanent residents, existing visa holders, certain visa categories such as athletes and diplomats, and individuals whose entry is deemed to serve U.S. national interests.
Under the new rules, visa bonds may be set at US$5,000, US$10,000, or US$15,000, with the amount determined during the visa interview.
Applicants required to post a bond must submit Department of Homeland Security Form I-352 and complete payment through the US. Treasury Department’s Pay.gov platform after their interview.
Visa holders who post a bond will be restricted to entering and exiting the United States through Boston Logan International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, or John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Failure to comply with these requirements could result in denied entry or an improperly recorded departure, the State Department said.
The State Department said visa bonds will only be refunded if the visa holder leaves the United States on or before their authorised stay expires, does not travel to the United States before the visa expires, or applies for entry at a US port of entry and is denied admission.
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