ANTIGUAN AND BARBUDAN VISA APPLICANTS TO BE REQUIRED TO PAY REFUNDABLE US VISA BOND

Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have been added to the United States’ pilot visa bond programme.

Beginning January 21, 2026, holders of these passports desirous of traveling to the United States under a B1 visa for business or a N2 visa for tourism, will have to submit an immigration bond form and pay a bond of 5-thousand, 10-thousand, or 15-thousand U.S. dollars.

The cost of the bond will be determined during the interview process when applying for a U.S. visa.

It is important to note the bond does not guarantee the applicant a visa.

Under the new requirements, nationals who find themselves bonded will only be able to enter and leave the United States using 3 specified ports of entry.

The US Department of State says once bondholders comply with the U.S.’s requirements, the bond will be refunded.

The visa bond pilot programme began August 20 last year and is expected to conclude in August of this year.

As of January 1, new U.S. entry restrictions came into effect for several countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica.

The restrictions impact new visa applications but valid U.S. visas are still being honoured.