Antigua and Barbuda's immigration amnesty programme is gaining momentum, with officials now processing approximately 40 applicants each day after a turbulent opening. According to Antigua.news, Chief Immigration Officer Katrina Yearwood says the initiative is unfolding largely as expected, with adjustments made after an overwhelmed first day.
The programme offers undocumented residents a pathway to regularise their immigration status and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration opens shortly before 2 p.m., with applications accepted between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. daily.
Yearwood said officials introduced a numbering system to improve the flow of applicants after opening-day crowds overwhelmed the Immigration Department. More than 100 people who arrived that first day were unable to submit applications, as many had turned up well before the designated registration hours.
Officials now begin each session by reviewing applicants' documents before processing them. Those who arrive without the required paperwork are asked to return once their applications are complete.
Applicants must provide a completed application form, a passport-sized photograph and a police record. The amnesty applies to individuals who have been living in Antigua and Barbuda without legal immigration status for more than four years.
Yearwood explained that the initiative is designed to address gaps in an applicant's immigration history, allowing them to qualify for residency or citizenship where eligible. As an example, she noted that someone who has remained in the country without status for four years would be able to proceed to the residency application process after receiving amnesty.
She acknowledged early challenges with the launch, attributing initial confusion to applicants either not seeing or not fully understanding the Public Service Announcement outlining registration procedures and required documentation. The operation has since become more organised, she said, as both officials and applicants have adjusted to the process.
While encouraged by the programme's early progress, Yearwood urged caution in drawing firm conclusions, noting that officials have not yet completed the first full week of operations. Even so, she said the volume and profile of applicants coming forward are consistent with what immigration officials had anticipated when the amnesty was launched.
