US makes visa bond requirement permanent for Antigua, Dominica, Grenada, Cuba

Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada and Cuba are among travellers from 50 countries now subject to a permanent United States visa bond programme, following a new rule that took effect on Monday. The US State Department announced that the programme, which was introduced on a trial basis in 2025, has now been made permanent. Under the policy, consular officers may require certain applicants for B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas to post cash bonds of US$10 000, US$15 000 or US$20 000, depending on their individual circumstances. The State Department said the requirement does not apply automatically to every applicant. Instead, consular officers will determine on a case-by-case basis whether a visa bond is necessary. The bond may be forfeited if a visa holder violates the conditions of their stay, including by overstaying their visa or seeking asylum or other humanitarian protection while in the United States. The programme was first launched in August 2025 as a pilot intended to reduce visa overstays, improve information sharing with foreign governments and strengthen identity verification and screening procedures. It covered 50 countries and significantly reduced overstays among travellers who posted visa bonds. Based on those results, the State Department said it decided to make the programme permanent. In the pilot programme, consular officers could require bonds of US$5 000, US$10 000 or up ‌to US$15 000. ⁠The final rule eliminates the US$5 000 option and raises the maximum bond to US$20 000. (St. Lucia Times)