It was reported that the United States of America (US) could require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas under a pilot programme launching in two weeks, in an effort that aims to crack down on visitors who overstay their visas.
More than 3,100 Guyanese nationals who entered the United States (US) on non-immigrant visas for business or tourism purposes (B1/B2) overstayed their legal period of stay in Fiscal Year 2023 according to a newly released report by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
But US Ambassador to Guyana Nicole Theriot says Guyanese will not be affected.
“So, currently, Guyana is not included in that list. It does not apply to Guyanese citizens applying for a visa. I haven’t checked recently but Guyana’s overstay rate is not very high,” the diplomat told reporters today.
“It’s not, in my opinion, it’s not problematic in that sense. So, at this moment, Guyana is not included in that list and obviously, anything could change but I would be very surprise,” she added.
Earlier this year, the US Embassy in Georgetown had cautioned individuals holding US non-immigrant visas about the severe consequences of overstaying their allotted time in the US.
Overstaying a visa could lead to a permanent travel ban, according to a statement published on the embassy’s social media page on Tuesday.
The embassy emphasised that visa holders must abide by the terms of their visas and adhere to their designated duration of stay. For visitors, the most common visa — the B1/B2 — allows for a stay of up to six months.
However, visitors must depart before this period expires. Failure to do so could result in serious repercussions, including being barred from entering the US for life.
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