Barbadian authorities remain uncertain about potential implications for travellers as the United States prepares to introduce a controversial visa bond policy later this month, the government disclosed on Tuesday.
“I’m not entirely certain at this point, if, and how this will actually relate to us,” Minister of Foreign Affairs Kerrie Symmonds told Barbados TODAY.
Under the temporary rule, visa applicants from specific countries will be required to post a bond of US$5 000, US$10 000 or US$15 000 (BDS$10 000, $20 000 or $$30 000) in order to obtain a US visa. For now, the pilot scheme will be applied only to citizens of Malawi and Zambia.
The US State Department, the country’s foreign affairs agency, has indicated the list of countries may change. The scheme is expected to include countries flagged by US authorities as having high visa overstay rates, weak vetting and screening procedures, or which offer citizenship by investment without requiring residents to live there.
Visas issued under the pilot will be valid for a single entry, for a period not exceeding three months. Visa holders will be permitted a maximum stay of 30 days in the United States.
Applicants will receive a full refund of the bond if they comply with all visa conditions, including timely departure or properly filing an extension or change of status.
The Visa Bond Pilot Programme is expected to run until August 5 next year. According to the State Department, data collected during the pilot will inform future decisions on expanding the use of visa bonds to address national security and foreign policy priorities. (EJ)