Travel bans: US adds 2 more Caribbean countries to growing list

The United States is adding two Caribbean countries to its growing list of travel restrictions as the Trump administration implements sweeping national security and immigration policy changes.

In a Dec. 16 proclamation from The White House, President Donald Trump announced Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, are joining the list.

The ban will go into effect Jan. 1, 2026, under the Presidential Proclamation 10998 titled “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.”

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According to the presidential proclamation, the U.S. is imposing partial travel restrictions on Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica over concerns about their citizenship-by-investment programs.

Both countries run citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs, which allow foreign nationals to gain citizenship and a passport from Antigua and Barbuda or Dominica if they make a qualifying financial contributions, such as a donation to a government fund or an approved real-estate investment.

The proclamation says the CBI programs can make it harder for U.S. officials to properly vet visa applicants, because these passports often provide limited residency or background information.

These concerns were cited as factors that could “detrimentally affect the interests of the United States” if left unaddressed.

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica with CBI passports aren’t automatically barred from travel, but the U.S. applies partial restrictions when they apply for visas.

Who the ban affects and what it means

The ban does not stop U.S. citizens from visiting these Caribbean countries or cancel tourism to these areas. It also does not block all foreign nationals from entering the U.S.

Instead, the restrictions limit some travel into the U.S by citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, and Dominica.

The move will primarily affect Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica citizens traveling to the U.S with certain types of visas, like tourists and exchange students.

Under the partial ban:

Nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica are restricted from entering the U.S. on B-1/B-2 tourist, F (student), M (vocational), and J (exchange) visas unless exceptions apply.Existing visas issued before Jan. 1, 2026 will not be revoked, and certain categories — such as lawful permanent residents, diplomats, and others with eligible exceptions — are exempt.