US Adds Antigua, Dominica Entry Restrictions
The White House has placed Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica under new U.S. entry restrictions citing national security and public safety concerns, effective Jan. 1, 2026. The move targets certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories and points to citizenship-by-investment programmes as a key factor.
The United States has added Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica to a list of countries subject to partial entry restrictions, a White House proclamation issued Dec. 16 says. The order, which takes effect at 12:01 a.m. EST on Jan. 1, 2026, cites national security and public safety concerns and directs U.S. consular officers to curtail certain visa privileges for nationals of the two countries.
Under the proclamation, nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica will be barred from entering the United States as immigrants and as nonimmigrants in specified categories, including B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2 (business and tourism), F (student), M (vocational student), and J (exchange) visas.
The directive also instructs consular officers to shorten the validity of other nonimmigrant visas for these nationals “to the extent permitted by law.” The White House singled out citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programmes in Antigua and Dominica as a key reason for the action, saying such schemes can allow individuals to acquire new passports without residency and thereby evade vetting.
The proclamation states that U.S. law enforcement and the Department of State have found CBI programmes vulnerable to identity concealment and circumvention of travel and financial restrictions. Other Caribbean nations with similar programmes — Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia — were not named in the order.
The measures do not apply to lawful permanent residents of the United States, dual nationals who travel on a passport from a non-designated country, certain diplomatic and official visa categories, athletes traveling for major international sporting events, refugees already admitted, and those granted asylum.
The proclamation also says it does not limit the ability to seek humanitarian protections under U.S. law. The order requires U.S. agencies to review the measures every 180 days and to consult with affected countries on improving screening, vetting and information sharing. Haiti remains under a full suspension of entry, and Cuba continues to face partial restrictions.
What this means for BVI residents: many British Virgin Islands residents hold British or other passports that may not be affected, and dual nationals can travel on non-designated-country passports where eligible. Still, residents planning travel to the U.S. for work, study, exchange programmes or tourism should check their nationality and visa status, verify passport validity, and consult the nearest U.S.
Embassy or consulate before booking travel. Local universities, recruiters and travel agents should also alert prospective travellers about the changes and possible visa limitations. According to the White House proclamation and reporting by Virgin Islands News Online, U.S. authorities will engage affected nations as they monitor and reassess the restrictions every six months.
Primary source: VINO