Prime Minister Gaston Browne has pushed back against a campaign proposal by opposition leader Jamale Pringle, asserting that CARICOM nationals already benefit from a six-month stay in Antigua and Barbuda — and in some cases longer.
According to Antigua News Room, Browne responded to Pringle's proposal via social media, writing: "Can someone educate Pringle that Caricom nationals get a minimum of six months stay. And that they enjoy renewals up to a year and temporary residence as well?"
The prime minister's remarks came in direct response to a pledge Pringle made to supporters, in which the United Progressive Party (UPP) leader promised that a UPP government would extend the legal stay for Caribbean nationals from three months to six months, reducing the need for frequent visits to the immigration department.
"Instead of having to run to immigration every three months for an extension, we will extend the duration of your legal time to six months," Pringle told supporters. He added, "No longer our Caribbean brothers and sisters would have to run to the immigration department every three months," framing the measure as a means of saving both time and money.
Pringle presented the proposal as part of a broader governance philosophy, stating, "This people first administration will save you more time and money… that is what a caring government do for people who call Antigua and Barbuda home."
The UPP leader also announced plans to remove restrictions on work permits within the tourism sector, saying his government would "work for every single person living here in Antigua and Barbuda."
Browne's rebuttal, however, maintains that the six-month stay — along with provisions for extensions and temporary residence — is already available to CARICOM nationals under existing immigration arrangements, rendering Pringle's proposal redundant.
