United Progressive Party (UPP) candidate for St. John's Rural East, Ashworth Azille, has issued a warning that Antiguans and Barbudans could soon face new visa restrictions from both the United Kingdom and the European Union. According to Antigua News Room, Azille made the claims in a recorded message, citing information from what he described as "credible sources."
"It is my understanding… that we are also under pressure from the United Kingdom, who may soon implement visa restrictions for Antiguans and Barbudans," Azille said.
He further alleged that the European Union has issued an ultimatum, warning that visa-free access to the Schengen area may be revoked unless corrective action is taken. "Even the EU has given us an ultimatum… to fix our systems… otherwise we will ensure that there are visa restrictions placed on Antigua and Barbuda," he said.
Azille linked the potential restrictions directly to concerns surrounding the integrity of the country's Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP), arguing that decisions made around the programme have eroded international confidence in the Antiguan passport. "The value of the Antigua and Barbuda passport… has been compromised," he said.
Beyond the UK and EU concerns, Azille also pointed to existing travel difficulties with the United States, citing high visa refusal rates and what he described as shortened approved stay durations for travellers. "The refusal rates… are ridiculously high," he said.
Azille argued that ordinary citizens should not bear the consequences of government policy failures, warning that the restrictions could affect people's ability to visit family and travel abroad. "The people of Antigua and Barbuda should not have to suffer," he said.
The remarks come as political campaigning intensifies ahead of an anticipated general election. Azille has been positioning the UPP as a reform-oriented alternative, focused on improving governance and restoring international confidence in national institutions.
