Money & Movement: A US$15,000 visa bond now shadows Eastern Caribbean travel to the US
Grenada joins Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica under a bond requirement of up to US$15,000 for US visitor visas, with immigrant visas paused across the sub-region.
Per the US Embassy in Bridgetown, from April 2, 2026 nationals of Grenada found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visitor visa must post a bond of up to US$15,000 — a requirement that has applied to nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica since January 21. Separately, since January 21 the State Department has paused immigrant visa issuance for several Eastern Caribbean states, including Barbados, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines and St Kitts and Nevis. Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad and Tobago are not on the list.
The practical effect for diaspora families is a steeper, more uncertain path to the United States from much of the Eastern Caribbean — a refundable bond is still cash that has to be found up front. Anyone planning US travel or family sponsorship from the affected states should confirm current requirements with the embassy before booking, and budget for the bond where it applies.
Sources: US Embassy Barbados (April 2026); Nation News / CMC; Demerara Waves.