Moving to Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda (Spanish for “Ancient” and “Bearded”) is an island nation that is between the eastern Caribbean and the Atlantic Ocean. Those are the two main islands, but the territory incorporates several smaller islands. The islands have a population of about 82,000. The ethnic make-up includes West African, British and Portuguese descents. The official language is English, and the capital and largest city is Saint John’s. The government is within a framework of a federal parliamentary representative democracy; the Head of State is officially a monarch. It has a tiny army, and its main source of economic activity is tourism. Most of the inhabitants are Christians. The culture of the islands is largely British and American influenced. The islands have a high literacy level of 90%.
Visas
Work Permits
Employers are allowed to hire foreigners, but they must go through a process of advertising your prospective job in the newspapers and interviewing locals to determine that no one can fit the job. You must have a clean criminal record to work in Antigua and Barbuda. You must have a temporary residency permit, as well as a work permit to work here. Your employer has to apply for your work permit on your behalf through the Commissioner of Labor, Ministry of Labor, in St John’s, Antigua.
In total, you must submit the follow documents:
1. Passport
2. Completed application form
3. 2 passport photos
4. Bank statement
5. 2 original reference letters
6. Notarized letter of invitation from sponsor (employer)
7. Police records
8. Job letter
9. Evidence of temporary residence
10. Fees
Student Visa:
To study in Antigua and Barbuda, you must first be accepted by an accredited educational institution, and then apply for a student visa.
You must submit the following documents:
1. Passport
3. 2 passport photos
4. Bank statement
5. 2 original reference letters
6. Notarized letter of invitation from sponsor (school)
7. Police records
8. School letter, proof of enrollment
9. Job letter
10. Evidence of temporary residence
11. Fees
Moving Pets
In order to move your pet to Antigua and Barbuda, you are required to apply for a Veterinary Import License from the Veterinary and Livestock Division. The process differs depending on your country of origin. The rules are stricter from rabies-infected countries like the United States, Canada, Grenada or Trinidad and Tobago. For animals form these countries, you must have it vaccinated against rabies and have a valid certificate that states this; you must have a certificate that your pet has been microchipped; you must also get results of a blood test to show that the rabies vaccine is working in your pet’s body.
Click here for study options in Antigua and Barbuda.
Other Information
Click here for FAQs about moving to Antigua and Barbuda.
Click here for a map of Antigua and Barbuda.
Click here for the government website for Antigua and Barbuda.
Click here for information on real estate in Antigua and Barbuda.