Buried in yesterday's FEDERAL REGISTER, which details administrative actions of agencies of the United States Government is a notice making the temporary pilot program, which created the $5-15,000 visa bond requirement, a permanent component of American administrative law. Additionally, it raises the ceiling which officers at American consulates may require visa applicants to prepay, to secure their visa, to USD$20,000.
We warned our readers last December that State Department temporary regulations often become permanent, without any further comment or feedback, and this fee structure has now become law. This raises the issue regarding the visa restrictions in place against ANTIGUA & BARBUDA and The Commonwealth of Dominica. Will they now also be made permanent? Stay tuned.
