New US visa restrictions reach Antigua and Barbados nationals under a 2026 proclamation
Valid US visas still hold — but new issuance is paused for several Caribbean nationalities.
A US presidential proclamation effective 1 January 2026 imposed partial visa restrictions on Antigua and Barbuda nationals, limiting new tourist, business, student and exchange-visitor issuance, while immigrant-visa processing was separately paused for several countries including Barbados. Officials stress that valid US visas issued before the cutoff remain honoured, and the measures carry a 180-day review cycle. Diplomatic engagement is ongoing, with governments citing strengthened residency rules and regional reform. For diaspora families, the immediate practical step is to verify the status of existing visas and factor longer timelines into travel and study plans.
Source: NTL International, citing Presidential Proclamation 10998; Caribbean Broadcasting Corporation.