By Algernon Watts
The United States issued no B-1/B-2 visitor visas to Antigua and Barbuda nationals in the first two months of 2026 — a dramatic reversal from the hundreds granted during the same period last year, according to figures published by the US State Department.
The country-level data show that 249 B-1/B-2 visas were issued in January 2025 and 186 in February 2025.
The decline was not limited to visitor visas. Only one US visa of any kind was recorded for an Antigua and Barbuda national in January 2026 — a K-1 visa, issued to the foreign fiancé or fiancée of a US citizen.
Seven visas were recorded in February: two G-1 visas, one G-4 visa and four P-1 visas. Those categories generally cover representatives connected to governments and international organisations, as well as qualifying athletes and entertainers.
No B-1/B-2, F-1 student, M-1 vocational student or J-1 exchange visas were listed for Antigua and Barbuda nationals in either month.
The State Department recorded 260 visa issuances across all categories for Antigua and Barbuda nationals in January 2025. That figure fell to one in January 2026, a decline of approximately 99.6 per cent.
In February 2025, 204 visas were issued across all categories. The total fell to seven in February 2026, a decline of about 96.6 per cent.
The figures show that visas were still being issued immediately before the new restrictions. The United States granted 74 B-1/B-2 visas to Antigua and Barbuda nationals in November 2025 and another 73 in December.
The sharp decline followed the introduction of partial US visa restrictions on 1 January under Presidential Proclamation 10998.
The restrictions apply to new B-1/B-2 business and visitor visas; F, M and J student and exchange visas; and all immigrant visas for Antigua and Barbuda nationals, subject to limited exceptions.
People who held valid visas before the restrictions took effect were not affected. Applicants may also continue to submit applications and attend interviews, although those covered by the proclamation may be ineligible to receive a visa or enter the United States.
A separate visa-bond requirement for Antigua and Barbuda nationals took effect on 21 January.
Under that programme, an applicant who is otherwise eligible for a B-1/B-2 visa may be required to post a bond of US$5,000, US$10,000 or US$15,000. The amount is determined during the consular interview and does not guarantee that a visa will be issued.
The State Department describes its monthly figures as preliminary because the status of individual cases can change. It also advises that separate monthly reports should not be combined to produce a final fiscal-year total.
Country-level statistics beyond February 2026 have not yet been published on the department’s monthly reporting page.
The Government has previously appealed to Washington to reconsider the restrictions and has said it is continuing diplomatic engagement with the United States.
The figures come amid separate discussions over a US proposal for Antigua and Barbuda to receive a limited number of third-country nationals removed from the United States. The Government has insisted that it will not accept criminals and that anyone considered under such an arrangement would be subject to screening.
Neither government has publicly indicated whether cooperation on that proposal would affect the visa restrictions.
US visitor visa issuances to Antiguans fall to zero
