Dominica presses US on visa curbs, no decision yet

Dominica's Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has asked the United States to rethink its visa restrictions on Dominican nationals, but no decision has been announced. Skerrit raised the issue at a bilateral meeting with the State Department during his visit to Washington for the United States-Caribbean Dialogue on 15 October, DOM767 reported on 22 October.

Skerrit said he made a proposal to the State Department, without saying publicly what it contains, and that officials committed to discussing it with their principals. "We hold a very firm view that there was no basis for the imposition of the visa restrictions," he said, according to the Caribbean Media Corporation, as published by the Jamaica Gleaner.

The restrictions come from Presidential Proclamation 10998, dated 16 December 2025, which says Dominica has historically had citizenship by investment without residency. Since 1 January 2026, the United States has suspended immigrant visas and B-1/B-2 visitor, F and M student and J exchange visas for Dominican nationals, with limited exceptions. The State Department says visas that were valid on 1 January are not affected and none have been revoked. New applicants can still apply and attend interviews, but may not be issued a visa.

Skerrit said the government is waiting for a formal response from Washington.