Top three US visa-denied countries in the Caribbean

Information published by the US Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has revealed the countries with the highest B-Visa refusal rate across the world. BVisas are non-immigrant visas issued by the US government to foreign nationals seeking entry for a temporary period, usually up to six months

Cuba

Topping the list in the Caribbean is Cuba at a 56 51 percent refusal rate Cuba and the US have endured a strained relationship dating back to the Cold War decades ago Travel to the US was further harmed by both COVID restrictions and a travel ban enforced by the Trump administration The US embassy in Havana only recently resumed processing visa requests in January of this year, for the first time since 2017

Haiti

Following Cuba is Haiti at 47 12 percent The US has stringent policies about awarding visas One of the more common obstacles to obtaining one is when the applicant cannot prove strong ties to their home country Officials check this through a combination of an interview and examining the applicant’s financial records In 2018, then-President Donald Trump enacted a ban on ‘low-skilled workers’ obtaining work visas or H-2A and H-2B visas This ended a program started in 2010 in the wake of the catastrophic earthquake that wrecked the country The current civil turmoil in the country has further exacerbated the problem of obtaining a visa, with some years the number of successful applicants totaled too little to report

Jamaica

Jamaica is third in the Caribbean for US B-Visa denial rates, and only behind Canada in the English-speaking world Most are familiar with the sunny island’s status as a tourist destination, but Jamaicans traveling abroad is almost as important for its citizens. Like many other developing countries, foreign investments and remittances play key parts in the economy of the nation For Jamaica, remittances make up 23 6 percent of the GDP

Reasons for Rejection

There are several reasons why the US might reject visa applications A common hindrance is incorrectly filling out the form Other issues that may arise are if the applicant applies for the wrong visa category or does not suitably display intent to return to their home country The latter is often evaluated by examining whether the applicant has adequate financial support or is liable to become a burden to the US Bad travel history, previous visa violations (overstays), and a criminal record will hinder any application for a visa

Tourism stakeholders highlight importance of collaboration during crisis

As the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season got off to a busy start, key stakeholders in the Caribbean tourism sector convened a virtual forum last week, placing a spotlight on the pivotal role of effective, strategic crisis communications when responding to, and recovering from natural and manmade disasters

During the forum, hosted by the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and the Caribbean Hotel and Tourism

Association (CHTA), the consensus was clear: collaboration across regional, national, and community levels, paired with efficient, proactive communications, forms the backbone of successful crisis management and resilience in the tourism sector

Neil Walters, Acting Secretary General of the intergovernmental CTO, noted that just three weeks into the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season the region had already witnessed three tropical storms, which forecasters

Indigenous communities in Guyana receive billions for development

In a significant move towards development and prosperity in indigenous communities, the government of Guyana has disbursed GY$1 3 billion in carbon credit funds This disbursement is part of the GY$4 7 billion received from Hess Corporation for the sale of 30 per cent of Guyana’s forest

During a one-day conference organized to provide Amerindian leaders with a platform to voice their concerns at the regional level, Minister of Amerindian Affairs, Pauline Sukhai, announced that several villages have already utilized the funds for various developmental purposes

Out of the 242 Amerindian villages in Guyana, 165 have submitted their Village Sustainability Plans (VSPs) so far

Minister Sukhai expressed her anticipation in seeing the outcomes of these plans signaled was an early and aggressive start to the hurricane season Walters told ministers, senior officials and private sector leaders participating in the webinar that, “Communication plays a vital role in managing crises, as it shapes perceptions, builds trust, and ensures that accurate and timely information reaches both internal and external audiences during times of crisis (which) can mean the difference between chaos and order, despair continues onA7 – Tourism stakeholders

“When I visit villages, I expect to witness a flurry of activities, with new and impressive infrastructure being constructed, engaging communities and villages,” stated the minister She further emphasized her desire to see projects focusing on women ’ s empowerment, youth and sports development, and initiatives that cater to the needs of the elderly Sukhai urged village leaders to complete their projects promptly and submit financial reports to her office Doing so would not only ensure transparency but also increase the chances of securing additional financial aid from various sources, including the Presidential Grant Program, the $10 million COVID-19 investment fund, the three billion supplementary fund for Amerindian development allocated at the last National Toshaos’ Conference (NTC), and the Amerindian Development Fund (ADF)