Source: CNW
The United States Department of State has updated its visa reciprocity schedules for citizens of Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, significantly reducing the validity periods and entry privileges for several work, dependent, and visitor visa categories that were previously issued with long-term terms.
Under the revised schedule, multiple visa classifications for both countries — including H-1B, H-1C, H-2R, H-3, and H-4 (work and dependent visas), as well as B-1, B-2, and B-1/B-2 (business and tourist visas) — will generally be issued with a validity of just three months and limited to a single entry into the United States.
Previously, some of these visas were granted with multi-year validity — in some cases up to 10 years — allowing holders to travel to the U.S. multiple times without reapplying. The new policy substantially shortens both the duration of the visa and the flexibility for repeat travel.
Under the new terms:
Reciprocity fee: None — applicants will not pay an additional issuance fee beyond the standard visa application charge.
Number of entries: One — the visa may be used for a single entry only.
Validity period: Three months from the date of issuance — the visa must be used within that timeframe. The length of stay after admission is determined by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), not by the visa itself.
These changes come amid broader U.S. scrutiny of citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programmes in the Eastern Caribbean, including those operated by Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda, which grant citizenship in exchange for qualifying investments. Such programmes have drawn increased international attention in recent years, with critics arguing that some lacked residency requirements or sufficiently rigorous vetting, potentially raising security and identity-verification concerns.
Earlier in 2026, the United States expanded certain travel and entry restrictions for several countries, citing national security and public-charge considerations. As part of those measures, additional requirements and limitations — including higher financial bond thresholds for some applicants from Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica — have also been introduced.
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has acknowledged the evolving visa environment and announced plans to align its biometric systems more closely with U.S. requirements within a 90-day timeframe, to improve predictability and processing for applicants.
Overall, the updated reciprocity schedule represents a marked shift from the longer-term, multiple-entry access previously available to Dominican and Antiguan travellers.
Individuals who already hold valid visas issued under the previous terms may continue to use them until expiration. However, new applicants should expect shorter validity periods and more limited travel flexibility and should plan accordingly.
Applicants are advised to consult the U.S. State Department’s official website for the complete list of affected visa categories and detailed requirements.