The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has announced that the Parliament is expected to convene within the next two weeks to debate and pass the Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Bill, 2026, a move that will pave the way for the launch of a national immigration amnesty programme in the coming month.
The proposed amendments to the Immigration and Passport Act, 2014, are scheduled for review at the next meeting of the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, ahead of their tabling in Parliament. The amendments are intended to create a clear legislative framework for granting amnesty to eligible individuals who have been residing in Antigua and Barbuda without regularised immigration status, as well as to persons who narrowly miss qualifying for citizenship due to limited lapses in lawful residency.
Under the proposed amended provisions, individuals who lawfully entered Antigua and Barbuda but have lived in the country as undocumented immigrants for four years or more would be eligible to apply for amnesty during a designated amnesty period. The programme is proposed to run for three months, from 1 April to 30 June 2026.
The legislation also sets out specific conditions under which applicants would be deemed ineligible. Persons who pose a threat to national security or public safety, who submit false or misleading information, or who are subject to active deportation orders or international arrest warrants will not qualify for amnesty.
Cabinet has emphasized that the proposed amnesty programme is a structured and responsible measure aimed at strengthening immigration compliance, enhancing national security oversight, and providing an orderly pathway to lawful status for qualifying individuals who have established long-standing ties to Antigua and Barbuda.
The Government has further indicated that the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to modernize immigration administration, improve record-keeping, and ensure that all residents are properly documented within the legal framework of the State.
