By Sue-Ann Wayow

THE American Chamber of Trinidad and Tobago (AMCHAM T&T) believes that citizens of Trinidad and Tobago travelling to the United States should not have to pay exorbitant visa fees.

AMCHAM T&T in a media release on Monday stated, “We firmly believe that such a policy should not apply to citizens of Trinidad and Tobago, who have consistently demonstrated compliance with US visa conditions.

“According to the US Department of Homeland Security’s FY2023 Entry/Exit Overstay Report (Appendix C), Trinidad and Tobago’s overstay rate remains one of the lowest in the region, at just 2.43% a clear indication of our citizens’ respect for immigration rules. This is one of the lowest overstay rates in the world and in the Americas.”

AMCHAM T&T stated, “At a time when both our nations are seeking to deepen commercial ties, encourage legitimate tourism, and promote trade and investment, we urge that any new visa policies reflect the strong bilateral relationship we share, and the track record of compliance shown by our citizens.”

AMCHAM T&T also stated that it remained committed to working with all stakeholders to promote transparent, secure, and mutually beneficial travel and business exchanges between Trinidad and Tobago and the US.

The 12-month long pilot programme to discourage visitors from lengthy stays in the US to be launched in two weeks by the US government could mean that the US could require bonds of up to $15,000 for some tourist and business visas.

The Federal Registrar public notice states, “Aliens applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) and who are nationals of countries identified by the department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering citizenship by investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot programme.”