Americas Visa and Travel News
The US is temporarily pausing immigrant visa appointments at its embassies and consulates around the world. The interruption is intended to allow consular officers to complete new training focused in part on assessing whether prospective immigrants are likely to become dependent on U.S. public benefits.
A proposal likely to raise tensions across the US tech sector. The federal government wants to impose an additional $103,265 fee on employers for certain new H-1B petitions subject to the annual cap.
Peru has officially launched its electronic visa and new e-SAMI immigration platform. Unveiled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on August 24, 2026, the system is designed to gradually digitize the management of Peruvian visas.
The United States is preparing to revoke B1/B2 visas held by foreign nationals who applied for asylum after entering the country as temporary visitors. Up to 200,000 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 could be affected, potentially making it the largest mass visa revocation operation in US history.
Cuba’s official eVisaCuba platform is scheduled to go offline for several days for technical maintenance. Cuban consular authorities say the service will be unavailable from August 20 through August 24, 2026.
Barely days after being made permanent for nationals of 50 countries, the US visa bond program could potentially be expanded to additional nationalities.
Donald Trump signed two executive orders on August 6, 2026, targeting “birth tourism” in the United States. Visa or travel authorization denials and revocations, as well as possible permanent entry bans, are among the measures now being considered.
The United States has made its visa bond program permanent for certain B-1/B-2 visas. Nationals of 50 countries may now be required to post a bond of up to $20,000 before their visa is issued.
Curaçao has announced the temporary suspension of Caribbean visa issuance for applicants from several countries considered high-risk areas in connection with the current Ebola outbreak. No cases have been confirmed on the island, but authorities say the measure is a preventive public health step.
The U.S. Department of State will test a paid service from July 1 to December 31, 2026, allowing some B1/B2 visa applicants to obtain an expedited interview appointment within ten business days. The option, priced at $750 per applicant, will be available only at selected consular posts.
Just a few days before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup, visa-exempt travelers heading to the United States are being urged to check their ESTA before departure. In some cases, an authorization that was previously approved can later change status.
Antigua and Barbuda is tightening border measures over health concerns linked to Ebola and other viral outbreaks. Authorities say no visa waiver will be granted to travelers arriving from an African country, regardless of nationality.
The United States is reportedly preparing to sharply reduce the number of embassies and consulates authorized to process visa applications in Africa.
Canada has announced temporary border measures in response to the Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the rising regional risk in Uganda and South Sudan. Starting May 27, 2026, certain previously approved immigration documents will be suspended for residents of countries considered to be at high or very high risk.
As several U.S. proposals concerning ESTA have raised concerns among international travelers, CBP is now pointing to a more targeted approach to social media screening. At the same time, Brand USA is launching an initiative designed to correct misconceptions about U.S. entry requirements.
