Thousands of non-nationals living in Antigua and Barbuda with irregular immigration status now have a chance to legalise their stay, as the government's latest amnesty programme gets officially underway. According to Antigua.news, the initiative opened on July 1 and will remain open through September 30.
The programme operates under the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2026, and is designed specifically for individuals who have lived in Antigua and Barbuda for at least four years but have experienced lapses or irregularities in their immigration status during that time.
The Immigration Department has published detailed guidelines outlining eligibility criteria and application requirements. Prospective applicants must submit a completed application form, a recent passport-sized photograph, and police certificates from every country in which they have resided over the past four years. A non-refundable processing fee of EC$500 and a change of status fee of EC$150 are also required.
Applications are being accepted at Immigration Headquarters between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., Monday through Friday, and will be processed on a first-come, first-served basis through a numbered queue system.
To support applicants through the process, the department has established a dedicated amnesty information desk at Immigration Headquarters. Additional guidance is available by telephone during regular business hours.
Officials have been clear, however, that participation does not guarantee approval. Each application will be reviewed individually in accordance with the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Act, 2026, and other applicable immigration laws before any final decision is reached.
The government has characterised the amnesty as a limited-time opportunity and is urging eligible residents not to delay. Officials are encouraging qualifying individuals to submit their applications well before the September 30 deadline rather than waiting until the final weeks of the programme.
