CBI Passport Market Hit by Waves of US Visa Restrictions

The Market for CBI programs hit by waves of visa restrictions imposed by Trump Administration to protect the national security of United States under Presidential proclamation.

“We are protecting our nation and its citizens by using rigorous, security-focused screening and vetting procedures to ensure that individuals approved for a visa do not endanger national security or public safety. “

State Department

Immigrant Visas

Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing all visa issuances to immigrant visa applicants who are nationals of the following countries:

1. Antigua and Barbuda.
2. Dominica,
3. Egypt,
4. Grenada,
5. Jordan,
6. North Macedonia,  
7. Saint Kitts and Nevis,
8. Saint Lucia,
9. Sierra Leone

Non-Immigrant Visas

Effective January 1, 2026, at 12:01 a.m. EST, in line with Presidential Proclamation 10998 on “Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States,

B-1/B-2 visitor visas and F, M, J student and exchange visitor visas, and all immigrant visas

• Antigua and Barbuda
• Commonwealth of Dominica

Visa Bonds

The Department of State has identified nationals from these countries as needing visa bonds. 

• Antigua and Barbuda (January 21, 2026)
• Dominica (January 21, 2026)
• Sao Tome and Principe (October 23, 2025)
• Vanuatu (January 21, 2026)

Turkey and Nauru were the only countries excluded from Visa restrictions

Sources

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/immigrant-visa-processing-updates-for-nationalities-at-high-risk-of-public-benefits-usage.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/suspension-of-visa-issuance-to-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states.html

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/News/visas-news/countries-subject-to-visa-bonds.html