Mexico Joins Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bahamas, Belize, and Other Caribbean Countries in Facing Significant Travel Changes and Potential Visa Delays This Year as the US Imposes a New Visa Policy and Biometric Entry Exit System

Published on February 4, 2026

Mexico joins Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, Belize, and other Caribbean countries in facing significant travel changes and potential visa delays this year as the U.S. imposes a new visa policy and biometric entry-exit system. These countries are adjusting to new U.S. regulations, including mandatory biometric scans at departure points and updated visa processing procedures. The introduction of the biometric entry-exit system, which includes facial recognition and stricter visa vetting, is expected to create delays and disruptions in travel. As travelers from these nations prepare for the upcoming changes, they must navigate these new protocols, which are aimed at improving security but may complicate the travel experience. The shift marks a pivotal moment in U.S. immigration and security policy, particularly impacting Caribbean nations that have long had robust travel ties with the U.S.

Mexico: Navigating a Complex Border Transition

Mexico is facing the most complex logistical challenge when it comes to the U.S. Biometric Entry-Exit System. With millions of travelers crossing the U.S.-Mexico border daily, the introduction of Biometric Exit via facial recognition at major land ports like San Ysidro and Laredo is a monumental shift. Mexican nationals, including those with Border Crossing Cards (BCCs), will now have to undergo biometric scans upon leaving the U.S. These changes are expected to cause congestion at land-border crossings, especially as travelers adjust to the new process.

The upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup in Mexico and neighboring U.S. cities is expected to increase traffic significantly. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is prioritizing the deployment of the Traveler Verification Service (TVS) cloud-based system to handle the surge. This system will ensure that biometric data matches travelers’ identities, even when they leave without biometric scans. This measure is designed to identify “ghost” departures where travelers leave without biometric verification, helping to prevent visa overstays.

Jamaica: Embracing Digital Passports and Exit Compliance

Jamaican travelers must adhere to new biometric exit regulations as the U.S. strengthens its identity verification protocols. Starting in 2026, Jamaican nationals will be required to use biometric passports (with the ICAO e-passport symbol) to pass through Simplified Arrival lanes at U.S. airports. These digital passports enable facial recognition to match travelers’ passport photos with their live image during the arrival process.

In addition to biometric exit rules, Jamaica has been placed on the immigrant visa pause list effective January 21, 2026, due to high public assistance utilization rates. While this might complicate travel for Jamaican nationals, it is important to note that this will not impact tourist visas (B1/B2). Jamaican tourism, a significant source of U.S. visitation, may face disruptions, but this system also helps ensure that travelers’ identities are accurately verified.

Bahamas: Streamlining Travel with Enhanced Biometric Entry-Exit Systems

The Bahamas is adopting the U.S. Biometric Entry-Exit System to further streamline its travel processes and enhance security. Starting in 2026, travelers departing the Bahamas for the U.S. will be subject to biometric exit procedures at major departure points, including Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau. This system will require travelers to undergo facial recognition scans at the airport, allowing for seamless departure processing. This initiative is expected to make entry and exit procedures more efficient, ultimately improving the traveler experience between the Bahamas and the U.S.

With its proximity to the U.S. and vibrant tourism sector, the Bahamas is anticipating positive outcomes from the implementation of these biometric systems. The new rules are expected to have a minimal impact on leisure tourism, as most travelers from the Bahamas visit the U.S. for short-term vacations, with the convenience of faster departure procedures at airports being a key benefit. As the Bahamas’ tourism sector continues to recover from previous disruptions, the U.S. biometric system’s ability to streamline the movement of travelers will be a welcome change for both tourists and business travelers. Additionally, these enhancements to biometric security will help ensure that travelers’ identities are verified more accurately, reducing potential security risks.

Belize: A New Era of Biometric Data Sharing

Belize has taken a significant step toward modernization with a Biometric Data Sharing Partnership (BDSP) with the U.S. In January 2026, the U.S. provided Belize with $250,000 in funding for biometric hardware, ensuring that Belize’s ports of entry, including Philip Goldson International, are integrated with U.S. Department of Homeland Security databases. This collaboration allows for seamless biometric data exchange, allowing Belizean officials to vet travelers before they depart for the U.S.

For tourists visiting the U.S. from Belize, this partnership brings benefits such as real-time biometric sharing. Belizean immigration officers now utilize fingerprint-based enrollment to cross-check travelers against U.S. criminal and immigration records. This system helps identify potential risks early, ensuring that only vetted travelers proceed with their journey to the U.S.

Cuba: Facing New Restrictions Amid the Biometric Shift

Cuba faces the most restrictive U.S. travel conditions in decades. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998 (effective January 1, 2026), new B1/B2, F, M, and J visas for Cuban nationals are severely limited or suspended unless specific national security exceptions are met. This policy is closely tied to the U.S. government’s ongoing concerns over Cuba’s influence in the region, significantly restricting the ability of Cuban nationals to enter the U.S. for tourism or business.

The introduction of the 2026 Biometric System now plays a pivotal role in enforcing these travel restrictions. Any traveler (including Europeans or Asians) who has visited Cuba since January 12, 2021, will be flagged and permanently rendered ineligible for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). They will need to undergo full visa interviews at U.S. consulates, making travel for Cuban nationals more cumbersome.

Dominican Republic: Embracing the U.S. Biometric System for Secure Travel

The Dominican Republic remains an important partner in the Seamless and Secure Travel initiative, but travelers from the island nation will now be required to submit biometric data upon exit from the U.S. Facial recognition at U.S. departure gates will become mandatory, helping the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) track overstays. This is part of the ongoing effort to maintain low overstay rates, which is essential for the country’s potential future inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program.

For Dominican nationals with clean biometric records, there is a silver lining. The U.S. is expanding its Global Entry and Trusted Traveler programs to allow faster, more secure travel for business and leisure travelers who maintain a positive record. This initiative is expected to improve the travel experience for business professionals and boost tourism between the U.S. and the Dominican Republic.

Travel Changes Already Faced and Upcoming Challenges for These Countries

Countries like Mexico, Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Cuba, Bahamas, and Belize are undergoing significant shifts in travel protocols due to the U.S. government’s implementation of the new Visa Policy and Biometric Entry-Exit System, set to fully roll out in 2026. These countries have already experienced disruptions such as visa issuance pauses (e.g., for Jamaican and Cuban nationals) and the implementation of biometric exit systems at major airports and land crossings, affecting travelers’ entry and exit procedures. As these countries prepare for the full deployment of the Traveler Verification Service (TVS) and mandatory facial recognition scans at U.S. departure points, travelers will face longer processing times, especially at high-traffic points like the San Ysidro border in Mexico. Cuba has been particularly affected by the travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998, severely limiting visa approvals, while the Dominican Republic and Bahamas are working to comply with biometric exit policies to streamline security. The upcoming changes could lead to visa delays and increased scrutiny, making it vital for travelers to stay updated on the new rules to avoid disruptions.

Mexico joins Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, Belize, and other Caribbean countries in facing significant travel changes and potential visa delays this year due to the U.S. new visa policy and biometric entry-exit system.

Conclusion

Mexico joins Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Cuba, the Bahamas, Belize, and other Caribbean countries in facing significant travel changes and potential visa delays this year as the U.S. imposes a new visa policy and biometric entry-exit system. These new measures, including biometric scans and stricter visa processing, are set to reshape travel between these nations and the U.S. While the goal is to enhance security and improve tracking of travelers, the shift is likely to cause disruptions and delays, particularly at key border points and airports. As these countries adjust to the changes, travelers will need to stay informed about new procedures to navigate the evolving landscape of U.S. travel and immigration policies.