By Staff Writer
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua, Dec 19, CMC – The Antigua and Barbuda government Friday said it had reached an agreement with the United States allowing for its nationals currently holding valid visas to be allowed entry into the North American country.
“This applies to all visa categories, including B-1, B-2, J, and M visas,” said Antigua and Barbuda’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Ronald Sanders, adding that “for the avoidance of doubt, this includes tourist, business, student, and other valid United States-issued visas.
“Second, there will be no revocation of any existing visas issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda before 31 December 2025,” he said in a statement.
Earlier this week, the Gaston Browne government said it is “actively engaged” in discussions with the United States authorities after President Donald Trump included nationals from the island and two other Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries who would either be “fully” restricted or have limited entry into the United States.
On Tuesday, President Trump issued his latest executive order, stating that, apart from Antigua and Barbuda, nationals from Dominica and Haiti would also be affected by the immigration policy.
Trump stated that some of the countries identified in an earlier proclamation had offered Citizenship by Investment (CBI) without requiring residency, which poses challenges for screening and vetting purposes.
Under the CBI programme, several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, offer citizenship to foreign investors in return for making a substantial investment in the socio-economic development of these countries.
Trump said both Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica have “historically had CBI without residency” and that the entry into the United States of nationals of these two countries as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.
He said consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica “to the extent permitted by law.
Trump said in its latest executive order justifying the action taken against the Caribbean countries that “as an example, a foreign national from a country that is subject to travel restrictions could purchase CBI from a second country that is not subject to travel restrictions, obtain a passport in the citizenship of that second country, and subsequently apply for a United States visa for travel to the United States, thus evading the travel restrictions on his or her first country.
“ Additionally, United States law enforcement and the Department of State have found that, historically, CBI programmes have been susceptible to several risks. These risks include allowing an individual to conceal his or her identity and assets to circumvent travel restrictions or financial or banking restrictions,” he said.
In his statement, Ambassador Sanders said that he met with the United States officials “on the instructions of, and with the guidance of” Prime Minister Browne to discuss the issuance of the United States Proclamation entitled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,” issued on December 16.
“I met today with senior officials of the United States Department of State. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the Proclamation and its implications for Antigua and Barbuda,” he said, adding that at that meeting, several matters were “confirmed and agreed”.
According to the diplomat, about new visa applications submitted after January 1, 2026, “these will be subject to new arrangements that are still to be worked out with several Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda.
“These arrangements relate specifically to the collection of biometric information of Antigua and Barbuda passport holders to ensure full compatibility with United States biometric systems.”
Sir Ronald said he wanted to emphasize “that the process of gathering the biometric information will be no different than now for all Antigua and Barbuda citizens; only the technology will change to align it with the US system.
“This alignment of biometric data systems will apply to all citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, including citizens by birth, descent, naturalisation, or investment,” said Sir Ronald, adding that he wanted to “express appreciation to the officials of the United States Government who have worked with us constructively and in good faith to address this matter.
“We are grateful for their commitment to continue working with us in furtherance of the cooperative relationship that our two countries have long enjoyed. Antigua and Barbuda recognises and respects the responsibility of the United States to protect its national security.
“We have pledged—and we reaffirm—our commitment to continue working closely with United States authorities on all necessary measures to ensure that our systems present no risk to U.S. security, while preserving legitimate travel for our citizens.”
The diplomat said St. John’s is “pleased that clarity has been achieved on these immediate concerns, and we will continue to participate fully in the work now underway to ensure the continuation of strong people-to-people exchanges between the United States and Antigua and Barbuda.
CMC//pr/ir/2025