St Vincent and the Grenadines Foreign Affairs Minister Fitzgerald Bramble is urging Vincentians to comply fully with United States immigration laws as the country faces a pause on the processing of US immigrant visas.

In a national address on January 16, Bramble confirmed that St Vincent and the Grenadines is among 75 countries, including  11 CARICOM states, affected by the measure, which takes effect on January 21, 2026, and will continue indefinitely.

He explained that the US policy applies only to immigrant visas, which are issued to persons seeking to live permanently in the United States.

Bramble stressed that the pause does not affect non-immigrant visas, which most Vincentians use for temporary travel.

“Those visas are different to the non-immigrant visas which most Vincentians would apply for,” he said, noting that they cover travel “for tourism, to visit your family, for medical treatment, for sports, business, temporary work, or study.”

He also clarified that applications for non-immigrant visas are continuing.

“If you are already in the process of applying for a non-immigrant visa, commonly referred to as a visitor’s visa, you are still able so to do,” Bramble said.

The foreign minister urged Vincentians who are currently pursuing immigrant visa applications to contact the US Embassy in Barbados for guidance on their individual cases.

Bramble used the opportunity to remind Vincentians travelling to the United States to obey immigration rules and avoid overstaying.

“Vincentians who travel to the United States for vacation or on student visas or other short-term visas are urged to comply with all of the immigration laws and regulations of the United States and not to overstay your allotted time,” he said.

He added that St Vincent and the Grenadines respects the right of countries to determine their own immigration policies.

“St Vincent and the Grenadines respects every country’s right to determine their immigration laws and practises,” Bramble said.

Bramble said his ministry stands ready to assist nationals at home or abroad who require additional information.