Update
January 10, 2024

Information for U.S. Citizens in the Middle East

U.S. Visas

English

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Reciprocity Schedule

Select a visa category below to find the visa issuance fee, number of entries, and validity period for visas issued to applicants from this country*/area of authority.

Explanation of Terms

Visa Classification: The type of nonimmigrant visa you are applying for.

Fee: The reciprocity fee, also known as the visa issuance fee, you must pay. This fee is in addition to the nonimmigrant visa application fee (MRV fee).

Number of Entries: The number of times you may seek entry into the United States with that visa. "M" means multiple times. If there is a number, such as "One", you may apply for entry one time with that visa.

Validity Period: This generally means the visa is valid, or can be used, from the date it is issued until the date it expires, for travel with that visa. If your Validity Period is 60 months, your visa will be valid for 60 months from the date it is issued.

Visa Classifications

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V
Visa
Classification
Fee Number
of Entries
Validity
Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 1 None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 120 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
CW-1 11 None Multiple 12 Months
CW-2 11 None Multiple 12 Months
D None Multiple 120 Months
E-1 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2 2 No Treaty N/A N/A
E-2C 12 None Multiple 24 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 1 None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B $2,533.00 Multiple 60 Months 3
H-1C None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2A None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2B None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-2R None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
H-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
I $4,329.00 Multiple 60 Months
J-1 4 None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 4 None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 $4,309.00 Multiple 60 Months
L-2 $4,309.00 Multiple 60 Months
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 60 Months
N-9 None Multiple 60 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
O-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-1 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-2 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-3 None Multiple 60 Months 3
P-4 None Multiple 60 Months 3
Q-1 6 None Multiple 15 Months 3
R-1 $2,089.00 Multiple 60 Months
R-2 $2,089.00 Multiple 60 Months
S-5 7 None One 1 Month
S-6 7 None One 1 Month
S-7 7 None One 1 Month
T-1 9 N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
T-6 None One 6 Months
TD 5 N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None Multiple 48 Months
U-2 None Multiple 48 Months
U-3 None Multiple 48 Months
U-4 None Multiple 48 Months
U-5 None Multiple 48 Months
V-1 None Multiple 60 Months
V-2 None Multiple 60 Months 8
V-3 None Multiple 60 Months 8

Country Specific Footnotes

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.

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Visa Category Footnotes

  1. The validity of A-3, G-5, and NATO 7 visas may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the person who is employing the applicant. The "employer" would have one of the following visa classifications:

    • A-1
    • A-2
    • G-1 through G-4
    • NATO 1 through NATO 6

  2. An E-1 and E-2 visa may be issued only to a principal alien who is a national of a country having a treaty, or its equivalent, with the United States. E-1 and E-2 visas may not be issued to a principal alien if he/she is a stateless resident or national of a country without a treaty.  *When the spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 principal alien are accorded derivative E-1 or E-2 status and are themselves a national of a country that does not have a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the principal alien’s country of nationality should be used.  **Spouse and children of an E-1 or E-2 visa principal applicant, where the spouse and children are also nationals of a country that has a treaty with the United States – the reciprocity schedule, including any reciprocity fees, of the spouse and children’s country of nationality should be used.  

    *Example 1: John Doe is a national of Country A that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country B which has no treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the same reciprocity as John Doe, the principal visa holder.

    **Example 2:  Mike Doe is a national of Country Y that has an E-1/E-2 treaty with the U.S. however his wife and child are nationals of Country Z that also has a treaty with the U.S. The wife and child would, therefore, be entitled to derivative status and receive the reciprocity issued to nationals of Country Z.

  3. The validity of H-1 through H-3, O-1 and O-2, P-1 through P-3, and Q visas may not exceed the period of validity of the approved petition or the number of months shown, whichever is less.

    Under 8 CFR §214.2, H-2A and H-2B petitions may generally only be approved for nationals of countries that the Secretary of Homeland Security has designated as participating countries. The current list of eligible countries is available on USCIS's website for both H-2A and H-2B visas. Nationals of countries not on this list may be the beneficiary of an approved H-2A or H2-B petition in limited circumstances at the discretion of the Department of Homeland Security if specifically named on the petition.  

    Derivative H-4, L-2, O-3, and P-4 visas, issued to accompanying or following-to-join spouses and children, may not exceed the validity of the visa issued to the principal alien.

  4. There is no reciprocity fee for the issuance of a J visa if the alien is a United States Government grantee or a participant in an exchange program sponsored by the United States Government.

    Also, there is no reciprocity fee for visa issuance to an accompanying or following-to-join spouse or child (J-2) of an exchange visitor grantee or participant.

    In addition, an applicant is eligible for an exemption from the MRV fee if he or she is participating in a State Department, USAID, or other federally funded educational and cultural exchange program (program serial numbers G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7).

    However, all other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee.

  5. Under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canadian and Mexican nationals coming to engage in certain types of professional employment in the United States may be admitted in a special nonimmigrant category known as the "trade NAFTA" or "TN" category. Their dependents (spouse and children) accompanying or following to join them may be admitted in the "trade dependent" or "TD" category whether or not they possess Canadian or Mexican nationality. Except as noted below, the number of entries, fees and validity for non-Canadian or non-Mexican family members of a TN status holder seeking TD visas should be based on the reciprocity schedule of the TN principal alien.

    Canadian Nationals

    Since Canadian nationals generally are exempt from visa requirement, a Canadian "TN' or "TD" alien does not require a visa to enter the United States. However, the non-Canadian national dependent of a Canadian "TN", unless otherwise exempt from the visa requirement, must obtain a "TD" visa before attempting to enter the United States. The standard reciprocity fee and validity period for all non-Canadian "TD"s is no fee, issued for multiple entries for a period of 36 months, or for the duration of the principal alien's visa and/or authorized period of stay, whichever is less. See 'NOTE' under Canadian reciprocity schedule regarding applicants of Iranian, Iraqi or Libyan nationality.

    Mexican Nationals

    Mexican nationals are not visa-exempt. Therefore, all Mexican "TN"s and both Mexican and non-Mexican national "TD"s accompanying or following to join them who are not otherwise exempt from the visa requirement (e.g., the Canadian spouse of a Mexican national "TN") must obtain nonimmigrant visas.

    Applicants of Iranian, Iraqi, Libyan, Somalian, Sudanese, Syrian or Yemeni nationality, who have a permanent resident or refugee status in Canada/Mexico, may not be accorded Canadian/Mexican reciprocity, even when applying in Canada/Mexico. The reciprocity fee and period for "TD" applicants from Libya is $10.00 for one entry over a period of 3 months. The Iranian and Iraqi "TD" is no fee with one entry over a period of 3 months.

  6. Q-2 (principal) and Q-3 (dependent) visa categories are in existence as a result of the 'Irish Peace Process Cultural and Training Program Act of 1998'. However, because the Department anticipates that virtually all applicants for this special program will be either Irish or U.K. nationals, the Q-2 and Q-3 categories have been placed only in the reciprocity schedules for those two countries. Q-2 and Q-3 visas are available only at the Embassy in Dublin and the Consulate General in Belfast.

  7. No S visa may be issued without first obtaining the Department's authorization.

  8. V-2 and V-3 status is limited to persons who have not yet attained their 21st birthday. Accordingly, the period of validity of a V-2 or V-3 visa must be limited to expire on or before the applicant's twenty-first birthday.

  9. Posts may not issue a T-1 visa. A T-1 applicant must be physically present in the United States, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands or a U.S. port of entry, where he/she will apply for an adjustment of status to that of a T-1. The following dependents of a T-1 visa holder, however, may be issued a T visa at a U.S. consular office abroad:

    • T-2 (spouse)
    • T-3 (child)
    • T-4 (parent)
  10. The validity of NATO-5 visas may not exceed the period of validity of the employment contract or 12 months, whichever is less.

  11. The validity of CW-1 and CW-2 visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (12 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

  12. The validity of E-2C visas shall not exceed the maximum initial period of admission allowed by DHS (24 months) or the duration of the transition period ending December 31, 2014, whichever is shortest.

 

 

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General Documents

General Document Information: Beginning in 2013, the Registrar General of St. Vincent and the Grenadines began issuing computer generated vital records on security paper.  Previous handwritten versions of civil documents are no longer accepted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines authorities.

Birth, Death, Burial Certificates

Birth Certificates

Available

Fees: EC $15.00

Document Name: Birth Certificate

Issuing Authority: Available from the Registrar General's Office, Kingstown, St. Vincent. Records are complete since 1864.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: 8.5x11 computer-generated multi-colored document with a blue border with image of a colored parrot on a branch in the middle of the document. The certificate has a watermark and a white embossed seal with a serial number in the upper right corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General

Registration Criteria: Information online at judiciary.gov.vc

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicant must follow online instructions

Certified Copies Available: New originals are generated by the registrar.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Previous versions of this document were handwritten on a form without security features.  Handwritten versions are no longer accepted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines authorities.

 

Death Certificates

Available

Fees: EC $15.00

Document Name: Death Certificate

Issuing Authority: Available from the Registrar General's Office, Kingstown, St. Vincent. Records are complete since 1864.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: 8.5x11 computer-generated multi-colored document with a blue border with image of a colored parrot on a branch in the middle of the document. The certificate has a watermark and a white embossed seal with a serial number in the upper right corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General

Registration Criteria:  Registration must be within 3 days of death. Information on registration is online at judiciary.gov.vc

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicant must follow online instructions.

Certified Copies Available: New originals are generated by the registrar.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Previous versions of this document were handwritten on a form without security features.  Handwritten versions are no longer accepted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines authorities.

Marriage, Divorce Certificates

Marriage Certificates

Available

Fees: EC $15.00

Document Name:  Marriage Certificate

Issuing Authority: Available from the Registrar General's Office, Kingstown, St. Vincent. Records are complete since 1868.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: 8.5x11 computer-generated multi-colored document with a blue border with image of a colored parrot on a branch in the middle of the document. The certificate has a watermark and a white embossed seal with a serial number in the upper right corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General

Registration Criteria: Information online at judiciary.gov.vc

Procedure for Obtaining:  Applicant must follow online instructions.

Certified Copies Available: New originals are generated by the registrar.

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Previous versions of this document were handwritten on a form without security features.  Handwritten versions are no longer accepted by St. Vincent and the Grenadines authorities.

 

Divorce Certificates

Available

Fees: EC $5.60 plus EC $0.60 for each additional page, if any.

Document Name:  Decree Absolute

Issuing Authority: Available from the Registrar of the High Court, Kingstown, St. Vincent as a certified copy of the Decree Absolute. Records are complete since 1915.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: A4 documents signed by the Registrar of the High Court

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: High Court Registrar

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  May be obtained from the Registrar of the High Court

Certified Copies Available:  Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Please contact the Registrar of the High Court for further information:

  • Registry of High Court,
    Credit Union League Building,
    Pauls Avenue Kingstown
    Telephone: 784-457-1091

Adoption Certificates

Available

Fees: $15 EC

Document Name: Certified Copy of an entry Adoption

Issuing Authority: Available from the Registrar General's Office, Kingstown, St. Vincent.

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: 8.5x11 computer-generated multi-colored document with a blue border with image of a colored parrot on a branch in the middle of the document. The certificate has a watermark and a white embossed seal with a serial number in the upper right corner.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Registrar General

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining: Application forms available from the Registry Departments. Fee must be paid there as well.

Certified Copies Available: Certified copies are available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Please contact the Registrar General for further information:

  • Telephone: 784-457-1220

Email: svgregistry@caribsurf.com

Identity Card

Available

Fees:  There is no fee

Document Name: National Identity Card

Issuing Authority: Electoral Office

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: The St. Vincent and the Grenadines flag is in the upper left corner above the picture of the card holder.  Numerous security features include: Multi-colored with distinct fonts; Subject’s name printed in a wave across the middle and bottom; Holographic-like photo of applicant’s face on lower right corner.  The back of the ID includes a machine readable zone and fuzzy barcode.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: Must be 18 years old.

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicants apply in person at the Electoral Office after turning 18

Certified Copies Available: There are no certified copies available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: The cards do not have an issue date but they do have an expiration date.

Police, Court, Prison Records

Police Certificates

Available

Fees: EC $10.00.

Document Name: Police Certificate

Issuing Authority: Available from Police Headquarters, Kingstown, St. Vincent. Records are complete since 1937

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: White paper (8.5” x 7”) information typed, white embossed seal from government of St Vincent and the Grenadines. Wet blue stamp from Criminal Records Office over Commissioner of police signature. A photo of the applicant is affixed to document.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: Criminal Record Office

Registration Criteria: There is no registration criteria

Procedure for Obtaining:  Applicant must apply in person, and provide application form, valid photo identification, two passport size photo and applicable fees.

Certified Copies Available: There are no certified copies available

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Non-resident applicants must submit the proper application form (available from the Police Headquarters, St. Vincent); three passport size photographs, one of which must be certified by a Notary Public, and a set of fingerprints taken and stamped by a local police authority.

Under St. Vincent and the Grenadines law, convictions can be expunged from a person’s record after the passage of a number of years.  Expunged convictions are not listed on the Certificate of Character.  The time from conviction to expungement varies depending on the severity of the offense.

 

Court/Prison Records

Unavailable:  Data is included in the police certificate.

Military Records

Unavailable

Passports & Other Travel Documents

Types Available (Regular, Diplomatic, Official, etc.):

Fees: $150 EC (applicants 16 years and over) $80EC (applicants under 16 years)

Document Name: St Vincent  and the Grenadines Passport

Issuing Government Authority: Immigration Office, Bay Street Kingstown

Special Seal(s) / Color / Format: Regular passport is blue, official passports are green, and diplomatic passports are burgundy. As of March 2014, they all contain E-chips.

Issuing Authority Personnel Title: There is no issuing authority personnel title

Registration Criteria: Information available at security.gov.vc

Procedure for Obtaining: Applicant must follow online instructions

Alternate Documents: There are no alternate documents

Exceptions: None

Comments: Regular passports are valid for a period of ten years for persons 16 years and older. Passports are valid for five years for persons under 16 years of age. Express service is available at an additional fee.

Other Documents Available: Emergency Passports & Emergency Certificates are accepted for travel in some OECS countries.

Other Records

Baptismal Certificates

Available from the church where the baptism occurred. Fee: EC $5.00.

Visa Issuing Posts

Post Title: Bridgetown, Barbados (Embassy)

Address: Wildey Business Park, Wildey St Michael, BB14006 Barbados, W.I

Phone Number: 246-227-4000

Consular Section Emails:
Non-Immigrant Visas - bridgetownniv@state.gov
Immigrant Visas - bridgetowniv@state.gov
American Citizen Services - bridgetownacs@state.gov

Visa Services

IV and NIV applications for nationals of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines are processed by the U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Additional Information for Reciprocity

Although care has been taken to ensure the accuracy, completeness and reliability of the information provided, please contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply if you believe this information is in error or if you have further questions.