Antiguans and Barbudans received no US tourist visas in first two months of 2026
State Department figures show a collapse in visas issued, which Prime Minister Gaston Browne links to a dispute over accepting deportees.
ST JOHN'S, Antigua and Barbuda. Not a single national of Antigua and Barbuda was issued a US tourist visa in the first two months of 2026, according to State Department figures published this week.
The data, reported by the Antigua Observer newspaper, show that only one K-1 visa, for the fiancé of a US citizen, was issued in January and February. No F-1 student visas, M-1 vocational student visas or J-1 exchange visas were issued to locals in that period.
By comparison, 249 applicants received entry visas in January 2025 and 186 in February 2025.
Applicants were turned away despite spending thousands of dollars to travel to the US mission in Barbados, covering air fares, accommodation and other expenses.
Visa bond requirement
The Trump administration imposed severe visa restrictions on Antigua and Barbuda and neighbouring Dominica late last year, and more recently added a requirement that applicants pay a refundable visa bond of up to US$20,000 in order to apply.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has consistently linked the restrictions to what he describes as American bullying to force small island nations to fall in line with its policies.
Cabinet officials say they are convinced the restrictions and the bond are tied to political haggling over the government's refusal to accept 120 deportees a year, or 12 a month, rather than a total of 10. Browne argues that any larger number would present a security problem.
The two sides are still negotiating over the arrival of third-country non-national deportees that the US is sending to the Caribbean and other countries.
Limited exceptions
The Observer noted that seven visas were issued in January and February in the G-1 and G-4 categories, which cover people working at international organisations, as well as to athletes and entertainers.
Browne has said he hopes periodic reviews by the State Department will eventually bring relief, but so far this year there has been no indication of any.
