PM Browne Comments on US and Europe Visa Policies

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne Tuesday said that the visa policy of the United States is undermining trade, commerce “and even our students who require a visa to study in the United States.

“We also have individuals who like to visit their relatives in the United States, and they too are affected,” Browne told reporters on the sidelines of the 51st Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit now underway here.

Visitor visas for citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are limited to a single entry and valid for three months. This replaces the old rules that allowed 10-year, multiple-entry visas. Additionally, some applicants may be required to post a bond up to US$15,000. Washington also approved new immigrant visas to Antiguans primarily driven by security concerns surrounding the country’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes.

Under the CBI, foreign investors are granted citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda in return for making a substantial investment in the country’s socio-economic development.

Browne told reporters that his country had remained hopeful that the visa policy would be “a temporary measure and that it will not be extended

“I believe that it would have fallen on July 1st, even though we have not heard formally from anyone in the U.S. We’re still hopeful that now that July 1st has actually come, that it will not be repeated.

“We haven’t heard any words from the United States to confirm whether or not they’re going to extend it or if it falls away. Again, we hope that the latter will prevail and that the restrictions will fall away because at any day we have absolutely no issue in the United States.”

Browne insisted that his country has “very strong relations” with Washington and has been “fully cooperative with the US.