Prime Minister Dr. Terrance Drew has moved swiftly and transparently to reassure citizens following unfounded reports that St. Kitts and Nevis may face U.S. visa restrictions if certain demands are not met by August 2025. The concerns, which stem from a leaked, unpublished memo first reported by The Washington Post, have not been followed by any official communication from the U.S. government.
Presently, travel between St. Kitts and Nevis and the United States continues as normal.
Speaking in an interview with local media on 20th June, Dr. Drew emphasised his administration’s commitment to keeping the public informed and to protecting the country’s longstanding relationship with the United States.
“I put out communication to inform our people… we had not been formally informed,” the Prime Minister said, noting that his government immediately sought clarification from the U.S. Embassy in Barbados and engaged the U.S. State Department through diplomatic channels. He confirmed that the U.S. Embassy had indicated it was unaware of any such list and had not received instructions from Washington on the matter.
Dr. Drew also confirmed that Ambassador Jacinth Henry‑Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis’ Permanent Representative to the OAS, has been in direct contact with U.S. authorities. “We are still awaiting updates from the embassy and further guidance from the State Department,” he said. “As of now, no official notification has been sent to us, and all visa services remain unaffected.”
The memo in question reportedly lists 36 countries, including four Caribbean nations—Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia—warning of possible visa restrictions unless these states provide detailed plans to strengthen due diligence and oversight of their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes. A deadline of August 2025 has allegedly been set for the submission of these plans.
Despite the lack of formal notification, Prime Minister Drew praised the regional response and underscored the importance of diplomacy. “We’ve been working through the appropriate channels from day one,” he said. “Our relationship with the United States spans decades and is built on shared values, deep cultural ties, and mutual respect.”
He further highlighted the significant contributions of Caribbean nationals—including those from St. Kitts and Nevis—to the social and economic development of the United States.
The U.S. State Department has since acknowledged that a review of certain CBI programmes is underway. However, no formal sanctions or restrictions have been imposed, and the Drew administration continues to monitor developments closely while maintaining open lines of communication with Washington.
“Our people can still apply for and travel on U.S. visas,” the Prime Minister confirmed. “If anything changes, I will update the public immediately, but I want to assure everyone that we are taking this seriously—it remains our top priority.”
Stay informed with the latest news and updates from SKN Source! Click here to join our WhatsApp group and get updates straight to your mobile. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more stories and insights!
Be the first to comment on "PM Drew Urges Calm as Government Moves Proactively to Address U.S. Visa Ban Rumour"