United States eliminates 10-year visas for Nicaraguans
The rules for traveling to the United States with a Nicaraguan passport have changed drastically. The Consul General of the United States in Managua, Corey Bordenkecher, confirmed this Wednesday the end of the issuance of 10-year visas for citizens of the country under the Visa Bond program applied by the Department of State to Nicaragua since April 2.
TL;DR
- The U.S. Consulate General in Managua has ended the issuance of 10-year visas for Nicaraguan citizens, effective April 2.
- New visas (B1/B2) will be valid for a single entry, for 90 days, with a maximum stay of one month.
- A Visa Bond program requires a refundable deposit between $5,000 and $15,000, determined by a consular officer.
- Existing 10-year visas issued before April 2 remain valid until their expiration date.
- Travelers must depart strictly by the stipulated date, with CBP agents having the final say on permitted stay.
- Failure to comply results in forfeiture of the bond and potential permanent immigration bans.
- The bond is automatically refunded upon legal departure from the U.S., though the process can take up to 90 days.
- The embassy warns of potential scams and reiterates that no intermediaries are authorized for visa approval.
- Nicaraguans with dual nationality are advised to apply using their other passport if that country is not part of the pilot program.