As reports circulated that Antigua and Barbuda nationals may be required to pay a bond after being issued a US visa, the government moved swiftly to clarify the situation stressing that the measure applies only in limited circumstances.
In a statement, Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States Sir Ronald Sanders said the US Visa Bond Pilot Program and does not affect holders of existing visas and does not automatically guarantee or deny the issuance of a visa.
According to the ambassador, the bond requirement affects only a narrow category of new visa applicants who may qualify under limited exceptions while existing US visa restrictions remain in place.
Antiguans and Barbudians who already hold valid US visas will not be subject to any bond and may continue to travel under the terms of their current visas.
“The United States authorities have indicated that the purpose of the bond is to encourage compliance with U.S. immigration laws, particularly timely departure,” he said.
“In that context, we must be candid: there have been instances of overstays and charges on the US public purse, including unpaid hospital bills by a small number of our nationals in the United States, and these actions create difficulties not only for the individuals concerned but for all Antiguans and Barbudans who travel legitimately.”
Sanders said he was instructed by Prime Minister Gaston Browne to re-engaged directly with the US State Department.
A formal diplomatic note has been submitted outlining Antigua and Barbuda’s record on immigration compliance and cooperation with US authorities.
He noted that Antigua and Barbuda’s visitor overstay rate is consistently low and significantly below that of many countries that are not subject to visa bond requirements.
The government has also highlighted its long-standing cooperation with the United States on immigration compliance and security matters.
The ambassador said the government’s objective is to ensure that Antigua and Barbuda passport holders are treated no less favourably than nationals of other CARICOM countries and that visa processing continues on fair and reasonable terms.
While discussions are ongoing, the ambassador described them as serious, measured and persistent, adding that although outcomes in international diplomacy are never guaranteed, the government believes there is room for reason to prevail.
In the meantime, citizens travelling abroad have been urged to respect immigration laws fully and to meet all personal obligations, noting that the actions of a few can affect the many.
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