The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has sought to calm public concern over reports that some nationals may be required to post refundable visa bonds when applying for U.S. visitor visas, saying the measure affects only a very limited category of new applicants under a pilot programme.
Cabinet said existing U.S. visa holders are not impacted and stressed that the bond does not guarantee, nor automatically deny, visa approval. It added that Antigua and Barbuda was not given advance notice of the announcement by the United States, contributing to confusion locally and across the region.
While acknowledging isolated cases of overstays or unpaid public expenses abroad, Cabinet said Antigua and Barbuda maintains a low overstay rate and a strong record of cooperation with U.S. authorities.
At the Prime Minister’s direction, formal diplomatic engagement has begun at the highest levels, including the submission of a diplomatic note, as the government seeks fair and equal treatment for Antiguan and Barbudan passport holders.
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If existing visa holders aren’t affected, then social media really blew this out of proportion.
Stop the sale of passports! This problem could be solved a long time ago!
The US should have notified governments beforehand. This confusion was avoidable
Still not right though. Even a ‘pilot programme’ feels like Antigua being singled out again.
I keep hearing about narrow category. So what is the narrow category
The government keeps saying this bond only affects a very limited category of new applicants but up to now they cannot tell us what this limited category is. I suspect it is a category limited to all visa applicants from Antigua & Barbuda.
You are always trying to BAMBOOZLE the people with your foolishness we quite understand the issue. Of course some us are quite dumb, hence the reason you are still in Office
If UPP ever get in power I wanna see all these people bashing the government right here bashing UPP when the country goes far down hill to brink of collapse….Pringle will for sure make that a reality so go on down and vote to destroy your country next election…..Some of us a quite dumb they will be reminded of whop they are whenever UPP takes control….
Everything done was in the best interest of Antigua and Barbuda no one thought Trump would take up his stick and come do inspections…Ok ur selling passports and working with bad guys then boom Visa issues but what Gaston is saying is it was all in the best interest of the people….This issue will be over soon and those refugees will most likely move on from here like many of the Nigerians so relax and let the government sort out this shit storm Orange Man started….