“Completely false”, says US Embassy in Nassau about $2,000 travel money

#Nassau, The Bahamas – November 12, 2020 – There is no truth to the reports which state Bahamians or travelers to the United States have to prove possession of at least $2,000 in order to be permitted entry.

The news article in The Punch claims Immigration officers at U.S. Pre-Clearance at the Lyndon Pindling International Airport in New Providence are requiring proof the cash and have turned scores of Bahamians away as a result.

Needless to say, this new travel requirement – if true – creates tremendous concern, but it may all be for naught.

Magnetic Media contacted the U.S Embassy which promptly issued this statement.

“That story is completely false. There are absolutely no minimum cash requirements for traveling to the U.S. To be clear: Preclearance requirements for Bahamians traveling to the U.S. have not changed,” said Daniel Durazo, Nassau Public Affairs Officer.

The U.S. Pre-Clearance is operational between 9:30a.m. and 6 p.m. and according to Mr. Durazo officers can deny entry to passengers for any number of reasons.

“Ultimately Customs and Border Protection officers at U.S. ports of entry evaluate every application for admission to the United States on a case-by-case basis, in accordance with existing laws and regulations. In other words, each person’s travel situation is unique, and is ultimately evaluated as such,” said Durazo today in an email reply.

It was also explained that the concern should not extend to Turks and Caicos travelers to the United States.

On September 9, 2019, the U.S. Embassy released information on the requirements for Bahamians or Bahamas residents travelling to the United States without a U.S. Visa. 

The link to official and further information on U.S travel requirements, was shared with us by the Public Affairs Officer; https://www.dhs.gov/news/2019/09/09/visa-requirements-bahamas-citizens-traveling-united-states