The administration of current U.S. President Donald Trump is considering a new travel ban that could affect several countries.
Background
The potential travel ban is expected to affect certain countries only (‘Targeted Countries’). The Targeted Countries are planned to be divided into three different groups.
Individuals holding passports of the countries belonging to the first group won’t be able to get any visa to the US. Those countries include Yemen, Sudan, North Korea, Venezuela and others countries with unstable political and economic situation.
Citizens of countries listed in the second group would be able to get only short term visas to study or travel in the USA. The second group will include Belarus, Russia, Laos, Pakistan and few others.
Countries which belong to the third group won’t be affected by any limitations, provided they meet certain conditions imposed by the Trump’s administration. Amongst the countries included into the third group are four islands famous for their citizenship by investment programs – Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda.
Interestingly, that Grenada is not included so far into the draft of the future travel ban.
Next Steps
The administration has cited concerns over terrorism, security, and information sharing as the rationale behind the potential new travel ban.
The administration is expected to announce the new travel ban in the coming weeks, although no official date has been set.
It is not clear yet, how the countries from the third group would be able to challenge their inclusion into the travel ban. Besides that it is yet to be determined which criterias should be met by a country to be excluded from the third group.
No Impact on Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Passports
Holders of Caribbean citizenship by investment passports can rest assured that nothing has changed. They will continue to enjoy the same benefits as before.
The following countries will maintain their unique eligibility for B-1/B-2 visa to the USA: Antigua, St Kitts, Dominica and St Lucia.
Stay tuned for future updates with Inter Citizenship.
