US Embassy Silent on Reports of Possible Visa Restrictions Over CIP Program
The United States Embassy has declined to comment on reports suggesting Antigua and Barbuda could face new visa restrictions in connection with its Citizenship by Investment (CIP) Programme.
The speculation follows media reports naming several countries—including Antigua and Barbuda—as potential targets of new U.S. immigration measures tied to concerns over economic citizenship schemes.
Dr Clarence Pilgrim, Permanent Secretary in Antigua and Barbuda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the embassy had offered no confirmation during recent discussions.
“They will get back to us,” he noted, following inquiries about the reports.
Amid the uncertainty, Charmaine Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of the Citizenship by Investment Unit, said no formal notification had been received from Washington. She underscored that Antigua and Barbuda’s CIP programme maintains strict eligibility rules.
“Nationals from blacklisted countries such as North Korea and Iran are not allowed to obtain citizenship through our programme,” she said.
Donovan also pointed out that all CIP recipients from Antigua and Barbuda are required to apply for a visa before entering the U.S., giving American authorities a further layer of scrutiny.
The broader debate over Citizenship by Investment schemes continues across the Caribbean, where governments argue the programmes serve as vital tools for economic growth and are supported by strong due diligence protocols.
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They know well it’s true. They will soon make their policy binding. Who wants ro go to the US anyhow? They make us believe things are better there. Most Caribbean people catching hell in the United States of America
and that’s a fact we are now more than ever bring treated like immigrants which we are
This has nothing to do with CIP. The letter which was quoted in the Washington Post last Saturday clearly said that if we and other listed countries are willing to accept 3rd country deportees, everything else would be forgiven. We are being bullied to accept deportees form countries in the Middle East, Africa and Latin America that are refusing to accept their deportees.