US Visa Restrictions on Antigua & Dominica CBI 2026: What Investors Must Know

In December 2025, the United States issued Presidential Proclamation 10998, fundamentally altering the US travel picture for two of the Caribbean's most established citizenship-by-investment destinations: Antigua & Barbuda and the Commonwealth of Dominica. Effective 1 January 2026, US B-1/B-2 visitor visas for nationals of these two countries were slashed from 10-year, multiple-entry documents to 3-month, single-entry only — and student, exchange, and immigrant visas were suspended entirely.

For the tens of thousands of investors who chose Antigua or Dominica CBI partly because of US travel access, this is material news. For those currently evaluating Caribbean CBI programmes in 2026, it reshapes the decision matrix entirely — and elevates Grenada's unique E-2 treaty status to the most coveted differentiator in the Caribbean.

With offices in Zurich and Dubai and a 99% approval rate across 250+ citizenship cases, Mirabello Consultancy has guided clients through Caribbean CBI applications across all five ECCIRA programmes. If you are reassessing your second passport strategy in light of this news, book a free consultation with our team today.

What Did the US Government Actually Announce About Caribbean CBI Visas?

US Presidential Proclamation 10998, signed December 16, 2025 and effective January 1, 2026, restricted B-1/B-2 business and visitor visas for Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica nationals from 10-year multiple-entry to 3-month single-entry validity only. F (student), M (vocational), J (exchange), and immigrant visas were suspended entirely. The stated justification was that citizenship-by-investment programmes enable individuals to obtain second passports that can conceal identity, evade travel restrictions, and circumvent financial screening — a national security concern.

The proclamation is legally grounded in US immigration authority and applied specifically because both Antigua and Dominica historically required no meaningful physical presence for CBI applicants, creating a perceived vetting gap in the eyes of US authorities.

The full scope of the restrictions for Antigua and Dominica nationals includes:

• B-1/B-2 (Business/Visitor): Reduced from 10 years, multiple entry → 3 months, single entry only
• F visas (Student): Suspended — no new issuances
• M visas (Vocational Student): Suspended — no new issuances
• J visas (Exchange Visitor): Suspended — no new issuances
• Immigrant visas: Suspended entirely
• Visa bond: USD 15,000 bond required at interview (effective January 21, 2026)

This is not a visa-free access issue — Antigua and Dominica passports have never had US visa-free access. The change affects the terms on which visas are issued to passport holders from these two nations. Full details are available in the official US State Department visa suspension notice. Investment migration industry analysis has been reported extensively by Investment Migration Insider (IMI Daily), the industry's primary news source.

Which Caribbean CBI Programmes Are Most Affected by the US Restrictions?

Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica bear the full force of Proclamation 10998. Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia were NOT subjected to B-1/B-2 validity reductions. All five ECCIRA programmes are subject to a separate, broader immigrant visa pause — but that affects a far smaller proportion of investors than the visitor/business visa changes.

The table below summarises the US visa position for each Caribbean CBI programme as of April 2026:

Note: St. Lucia separately lost UK visa-free access effective 5 March 2026. All five Caribbean CBI programmes are members of ECCIRA, established December 2025.

What Partial Relief Did Antigua & Barbuda Secure?

Antigua secured a critical concession through diplomatic negotiation: all valid US visas held by Antigua & Barbuda nationals as of December 31, 2025 will be honoured and will not be revoked. Ambassador Ronald Sanders led the negotiations. However, this relief does not lift restrictions for new visa applicants from January 2026 onwards — they still face 3-month, single-entry B-1/B-2 terms and the USD 15,000 visa bond requirement.

In exchange for this partial accommodation, Antigua is understood to be considering a 90-day physical residency requirement for CBI applicants going forward — an increase from its current framework. Parliament has already enacted a 30-day residency requirement in line with ECCIRA standards; the 90-day proposal is an additional concession under discussion with US authorities. Antigua was also added to the US visa bond programme effective January 21, 2026, requiring applicants to post a bond of USD 15,000 before visa issuance.

The practical implication: existing Antigua CBI holders with valid US visas retain their travel flexibility. New Antigua CBI applicants from January 2026 will face materially degraded US access until any diplomatic resolution is reached.

Is the Dominica CBI Programme Still Viable for US-Focused Investors?

For investors whose primary motivation for Caribbean CBI includes regular, flexible US travel, Dominica's programme is no longer the strongest choice in 2026. Dominica has reached no partial relief agreement with the US — full restrictions apply, including 3-month single-entry B-1/B-2 visas, suspended student and immigrant visas, and the USD 15,000 visa bond. Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has described the restrictions as "an error" and is engaged in diplomatic dialogue, with hopes pinned on the June 2026 mandatory review.

That said, Dominica's CBI programme retains genuine strengths for investors who do not prioritise US travel: no residency requirement, 136 visa-free countries (including Schengen and UK), fast processing of 4–6 months, and a USD 200,000 NDF contribution — the most affordable Caribbean option. For GCC investors, Asian-based HNWIs, or those primarily interested in European travel or a politically neutral second passport, Dominica remains highly competitive. The US restrictions are a serious downgrade for US-focused applicants, not an absolute disqualifier for all investor profiles.

Not sure whether Dominica or another programme fits your travel needs? Schedule a free discovery call with Mirabello Consultancy's Caribbean specialists.

Why Were Grenada, St. Kitts, and St. Lucia Treated Differently by the US?

Grenada, St. Kitts & Nevis, and St. Lucia were not targeted by the B-1/B-2 validity reductions in Proclamation 10998, though all Caribbean CBI nations are subject to a broader immigrant visa pause. The distinction is not officially explained in the proclamation, but two factors are widely cited: (1) St. Kitts has maintained stricter due diligence requirements and residency expectations over a longer history; (2) Grenada's bilateral E-2 treaty relationship with the United States gives it a structurally different diplomatic position. St. Lucia's exemption is less clearly explained by public sources [VERIFY: official US State Department clarification pending].

The outcome is clear regardless of the mechanism: investors choosing between Caribbean CBI programmes in 2026 should treat Grenada, St. Kitts, and St. Lucia as the US-compatible tier, and Antigua and Dominica as programmes where US access is significantly degraded for new applicants until further diplomatic progress is made.

How Does Grenada's E-2 Treaty Work — and Why Does It Matter More Than Ever in 2026?

Grenada holds a bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation with the United States, signed in 1989, which qualifies Grenadian citizens to apply for E-2 investor visas. An E-2 visa allows a Grenadian national to live and work in the United States by making a substantial investment in a US business. This treaty remains fully intact and unaffected by Proclamation 10998 — and it is the only such treaty held by any Caribbean CBI nation.

The practical value of the E-2 route for Grenada CBI holders:

• Allows the investor and their family to reside legally in the United States while running a US business
• No minimum investment threshold specified in the treaty (though US consulates expect a "substantial" investment — typically USD 100,000+ for smaller businesses)
• Renewable indefinitely as long as the business remains operational
• Applicable immediately after Grenadian citizenship is granted via CBI — no waiting period
• Not subject to annual visa caps or lottery (unlike EB-5 immigrant visas)

In the context of Proclamation 10998, this treaty is now Grenada's defining competitive differentiator. Investors who need a legal US presence — whether for business expansion, children's education, or lifestyle — have essentially one Caribbean CBI route that still delivers it: the Grenada CBI programme at USD 235,000 via NDF contribution.

Grenada's other strengths reinforce the value: 140 visa-free countries, 5–7 month processing, no residency requirement, and full family inclusion. It ranks among the most globally connected Caribbean passports despite its relatively modest cost.

When Will the US Review These Caribbean CBI Restrictions?

Presidential Proclamation 10998 includes a mandatory 180-day review cycle, meaning the first formal review is due in June 2026. Both Antigua and Dominica are engaged in diplomatic channels ahead of this deadline. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio acknowledged the June review when meeting with Caribbean counterparts, giving both governments a formal window to demonstrate CBI programme reforms — including the mandatory residency requirements being implemented through ECCIRA — in exchange for potential restoration of previous visa terms.

Investors should treat June 2026 as a decision-relevant date but not a guaranteed resolution. A diplomatic breakthrough could restore Antigua and Dominica's US visa terms; alternatively, the restrictions could be maintained or applied more broadly. Investors who cannot afford to wait for a resolution — or who need predictable US access now — should weight their programme selection accordingly.

What Should Investors Do If They Are Considering Caribbean CBI in 2026?

Investors evaluating Caribbean CBI in 2026 should map their travel priorities directly onto programme selection. If US travel flexibility is essential, Grenada's E-2 treaty is the only Caribbean CBI route that provides a legal pathway to long-term US residency — and it is unaffected by Proclamation 10998. If US travel is important but not critical, St. Kitts & Nevis (USD 250,000, strongest passport) or the full Caribbean comparison may serve your needs. If US travel is not a priority, Antigua and Dominica remain competitive on cost and broader travel access.

Existing Antigua holders with pre-2026 US visas should verify their visa expiry date and plan renewals carefully — the diplomatic window before June 2026 will determine what terms apply when their existing visas expire.

Key action points for investors in April 2026:

1. Existing Antigua CBI holders: Check US visa validity; if expiring before June 2026 review, seek expert guidance on renewal strategy under current terms
2. Existing Dominica CBI holders: B-1/B-2 access now 3-month, single-entry — plan US trips accordingly; monitor June 2026 review
3. New CBI applicants prioritising US access: Grenada E-2 is the primary Caribbean route to consider; St. Kitts retains standard US visa terms
4. New CBI applicants for whom US travel is secondary: Antigua and Dominica remain strong Schengen/UK options; Dominica at USD 200,000 is still the most affordable Caribbean CBI
5. All applicants: Monitor the June 2026 US review — a positive diplomatic outcome could restore the status quo

What Are the Most Common Questions About US Caribbean CBI Visa Restrictions?

Did the US revoke existing Antigua CBI visas?

No. Through a diplomatic agreement negotiated by Ambassador Ronald Sanders, all valid US visas held by Antigua & Barbuda nationals as of December 31, 2025 are honoured and will not be revoked. Only new visa applications from January 1, 2026 onwards are subject to the 3-month, single-entry restriction under Proclamation 10998.

Are Dominica CBI holders affected the same way as Antigua?

Yes, but with no partial relief. Dominica nationals face full implementation of Proclamation 10998 — B-1/B-2 visas reduced to 3 months, single entry; F, M, J, and immigrant visas suspended. No diplomatic agreement has been reached as of April 2026. Dominica is also subject to the USD 15,000 visa bond requirement effective January 21, 2026.

Is the Grenada E-2 treaty affected by these US restrictions?

No. Grenada's bilateral E-2 Treaty of Friendship, Commerce, and Navigation with the United States (1989) remains fully intact and unaffected by Proclamation 10998. Grenada is the only Caribbean CBI nation with an E-2 treaty, making it the sole Caribbean programme that still offers a legal pathway to living and working in the United States.

What is the USD 15,000 visa bond requirement for Antigua and Dominica?

Effective January 21, 2026, nationals of Antigua & Barbuda and Dominica applying for US B-1/B-2 visas must post a bond of USD 15,000 before visa issuance. The bond is reimbursable upon return from the US visit but represents a significant additional cost and friction point. The official stated reason is visa overstay rates exceeding 10% from these countries.

When will the US restrictions be reviewed?

Presidential Proclamation 10998 includes a mandatory 180-day review cycle. The first formal review is due in June 2026. Both Antigua and Dominica governments are actively engaged in diplomatic efforts ahead of this deadline. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the June review when meeting with Caribbean counterparts. Whether the restrictions will be lifted, maintained, or modified in June remains uncertain.

Which Caribbean CBI programme is best for investors who need US access?

In 2026, Grenada's CBI programme is the strongest choice for investors requiring US access. Its bilateral E-2 treaty with the United States — unaffected by Proclamation 10998 — allows Grenadian citizens to apply for E-2 investor visas and reside legally in the United States while operating a US business. St. Kitts & Nevis also retains standard US visitor visa terms. Antigua and Dominica are now significantly less attractive for US-focused investors.

How Do I Start with Mirabello Consultancy?

Starting your Caribbean CBI journey with expert guidance has never been more important than in 2026. With US visa landscapes shifting, programme pricing changing, and new ECCIRA regulations taking effect, the right programme choice depends on your specific travel needs, family profile, and timeline. Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy — IMC members with a 99% approval rate and 250+ citizenship cases across all Caribbean programmes. Our specialists in Zurich and Dubai will provide a personalised programme assessment within 48 hours.