Barbadian officials are grappling with uncertainty as the United States gears up to implement a contentious visa bond policy later this month. The policy, disclosed by the US State Department, mandates visa applicants from select countries to post bonds ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 to secure a US visa. Initially, the pilot program will target citizens of Malawi and Zambia, with the possibility of expanding to other nations identified as having high visa overstay rates, inadequate vetting procedures, or citizenship-by-investment programs. Barbados’ Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kerrie Symmonds, expressed ambiguity about the policy’s potential impact on Barbadian travelers, stating, ‘I’m not entirely certain at this point, if, and how this will actually relate to us.’ The visas issued under this scheme will be valid for a single entry, with a maximum stay of 30 days within a three-month period. Applicants who comply with all visa conditions, including timely departure or proper filing for extensions, will receive a full refund of their bond. The pilot program is set to run until August 5, 2024, with its outcomes informing future decisions on visa bond implementation to address national security and foreign policy concerns.
标签： Barbados
巴巴多斯
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Police probe unnatural death of guest at Hilton Barbados
Authorities in Barbados have launched an investigation into the unnatural death of a foreign guest at the Hilton Barbados Resort. Annmarie Thompson, the Director of Sales and Marketing at the hotel, confirmed the incident during a visit by Barbados TODAY, expressing profound sorrow over the guest’s unexpected demise. While the family of the deceased has been informed, the hotel has refrained from disclosing the individual’s identity, citing strict privacy protocols. Thompson assured the public that the resort continues to operate normally, with no disruptions to its services. The investigation remains ongoing as officials work to determine the circumstances surrounding the tragic event.
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Govt rolls out new online visa and payment systems
The Barbados Immigration Department has taken a significant leap towards digitalization with the launch of a new online visa application portal and the introduction of online payments for all immigration services. The announcement was made by Minister of Home Affairs and Information, Wilfred Abrahams, during a briefing at the department’s headquarters on Princess Alice Highway, St Michael, on Tuesday.
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UWI med class of 2025 delivers best results in five years
The 2025 graduating class of the Faculty of Medical Sciences at The University of the West Indies (UWI), Cave Hill Campus, has set a new benchmark for academic excellence, achieving the best results in five years. Out of 37 students, 36 successfully passed their final clinical exams, with 14 earning honours and four receiving distinctions. The remarkable achievement was celebrated during the Hippocratic Oath Taking Ceremony held at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital Auditorium on Thursday. Dr. Damian Cohall, Dean of the Faculty, lauded the performance as one of the most outstanding in recent memory. He noted that 36 out of 38 candidates passed, with one granted a medical exemption. The ceremony marked the culmination of a rigorous five-year journey, including three years of pre-clinical studies and two years of clinical rotations in local hospitals and health centres. The final assessment, the unified Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) clinical exam, took place on May 30. While the event celebrated academic success, it also emphasized the deeper responsibilities of the medical profession. Dr. Cohall reminded the graduates that medicine is not just about knowledge but also about compassion and ethical practice. He highlighted the evolving landscape of healthcare, shaped by artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and robotics, but stressed that the human touch remains irreplaceable. ‘ChatGPT may become your medical colleague, but your humanity, judgement, and compassion cannot be programmed,’ he said. Dr. Anthony Harris, Director of Medical Services at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, echoed this sentiment, urging the graduates to focus on patient care in an era of rapid technological advancement. ‘Medicine remains a personal profession,’ he said. ‘At the end of the day, it’s a human being in front of you who needs care.’ The Hippocratic Oath, a centuries-old tradition, served as a solemn reminder of the ethical and moral responsibilities that come with the title of doctor. The Class of 2025 was encouraged to prioritize patient care and uphold the noble values of the profession, even as the medical field continues to evolve.
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Vonda Pile can no longer practise law in Barbados
In a decisive ruling, the Court of Appeal has mandated the immediate removal of Vonda Minerva Pile from the roster of licensed attorneys. The appellate board, comprising Chief Justice Leslie Haynes and Justices of Appeal Francis Belle and Margaret Reifer, issued the verdict following the Barbados Bar Association Disciplinary Committee’s recommendations. This action stems from Pile’s prior conviction and imprisonment for criminal misconduct during her legal practice. The court has also ordered that all client files under Pile’s management be transferred to the Registrar within a seven-day period. Pile was convicted on June 5, 2019, for embezzling $191,416.39 from her former client, Anstey King, between April 29, 2009, and October 26, 2010. Although she faced additional charges of money laundering, she was acquitted on that count. After serving a three-year sentence for theft, Pile had resumed her legal career, a move now definitively halted by this ruling.