Dominica presses US to lift visa curbs affecting visitors and students

Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has raised the United States' visa restrictions on the island with US State Department officials, and says Washington has agreed to discuss the issue with senior decision-makers. The restrictions, which suspend most US visas for Dominican nationals, remain in place while the US considers its response.

Key facts

• The US introduced partial visa restrictions on Dominica effective 1 January (the source does not state which year).
• Most immigrant and non-immigrant visas are suspended, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M and J visas for students and exchange visitors.
• US visa validity periods for Dominica have also been reduced.
• Dominica citizens may face mandatory, refundable visa bonds of US$10,000 to US$20,000 under broader US policies.
• Washington says the measures stem from security and vetting concerns linked to Dominica's Citizenship by Investment programme.

What are the US visa restrictions on Dominica?

The United States suspended most immigrant and non-immigrant visas for Dominica, including B-1/B-2 business and tourist visas, as well as F, M and J visas covering students and exchange visitors. Visa validity periods were also shortened, though the source gives no detail on the new lengths.

In addition, Dominican nationals may face mandatory but refundable visa bonds ranging from US$10,000 to US$20,000. These fall under broader US policies aimed at jurisdictions identified as having high visa-overstay rates or links to citizenship-by-investment programmes.

Why did the US impose these measures?

According to the details Skerrit set out, Washington cited security and vetting concerns connected to Dominica's Citizenship by Investment programme, under which the island grants citizenship to foreign nationals in exchange for substantial investments in its socioeconomic development. Skerrit said his government believes there is no justification for the measures imposed on Dominica.

What did Dominica's prime minister ask for?

Skerrit raised the restrictions during the United States-Caribbean Dialogue, where he met US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau. He said the visa issue was a priority in his bilateral meeting and that he raised it "very respectfully but firmly".

He said the State Department gave him a commitment that the matter will be discussed with senior officials, and that the next step rests with Washington to determine how it will respond.

What this means for travellers

Dominica passport holders planning travel to the United States should note that most US visa categories, including B-1/B-2 visitor visas and student and exchange visitor visas, are currently suspended, and that visa validity periods have been reduced. They should also be aware of possible visa bonds of US$10,000 to US$20,000 under broader US policies.

Skerrit said he is awaiting Washington's response and described the engagement as important for relations between the two countries, calling the United States an important ally and partner with longstanding cultural, family and student ties to the Caribbean. He added that Dominica would welcome opportunities to strengthen Caribbean-US ties.