How to Enter Antigua and Barbuda
Do I need a passport or visa to enter?
U.S. citizens must have a valid U.S. passport to enter Antigua and Barbuda. For further information, travelers may contact the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda, 3216 New Mexico Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20016, telephone (202)- 362-5122, or their consulate in Miami. Additional information may be found on the Internet on the home page of the Antigua and Barbuda Department of Tourism.Immigration officials are strict about getting exact information about where visitors are staying and will often request to see a return ticket or ticket for onward travel, as well as proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of the visitor's intended stay. There is a departure tax (~US $27) required upon departing the country.
All U.S. citizens traveling outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter the United States. This extended to all sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service on June 1, 2009. Travelers must now present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document such as a passport or a passport card for entry to the United States. While passport cards and enhanced driver’s licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements. We strongly encourage all U.S. citizen travelers to apply for a U.S. passport or passport card well in advance of anticipated travel. U.S. citizens can visit travel.state.gov or call 1-877-4USA-PPT (1-877-487-2778) for information on how to apply for their passports.
NOTE: Be aware that Caribbean cruises that begin and end in the U.S. (closed-loop cruises) do not require that you travel with a valid passport. However, should you need to disembark due to an emergency and you do not have a valid passport, you may encounter difficulties entering or remaining in a foreign country. You may also have difficulty attempting to re-enter the United States by air because many airlines will require a valid passport before allowing you to board the aircraft. As such, we strongly recommend that you always travel abroad with your valid passport.
HIV/AIDS entry restrictions may exist for visitors and foreign residents of Antigua and Barbuda. Please verify the requirements with the Embassy of Antigua and Barbuda before you travel.
Special Travel Circumstances in Antigua and Barbuda
Although there is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Antigua and Barbuda, there is a consular agent that can assist in providing U.S. citizen services. Refer to the section entitled “Registration/Embassy Location” for the contact information.
All Caribbean countries can be affected by hurricanes. The hurricane season normally runs from early June to the end of November, but there have been hurricanes in December in recent years. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Information on hurricane preparedness abroad is provided at, Hurricane Season: Know Before You Go.
U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their citizenship documents with them at all times so, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available.
Societal attitudes remain conflicted on the issue of LGBT rights. While some government officials have admitted to “open homophobia,” others assert that the country is mostly tolerant of LGBT persons, noting that the indecency law is rarely used except when some other crime has also been committed. Same-sex marriage is not allowed under local law, and even the impression that same-sex marriage is taking place can be construed as a violation of the law. Visitors are warned against holding any type of ceremony or event that could appear to be a same-sex marriage. U.S. citizens have been arrested by the Antiguan police for this type of activity. Anecdotal reports of discrimination based on sexual orientation, especially by the police, suggest these were mostly verbal attacks.
The justice system moves slowly in Antigua and Barbuda. Victims of crime have experienced delays in obtaining police reports and updates on criminal cases. In mid-2008 a former Canadian police officer was appointed as police commissioner with the mandate of modernizing the 550-strong police force. At present, the police continue to be negligent in providing timely notification to the embassy of the arrest of a U.S. citizen, and access to U.S. citizens post-arrest has on occasion been restricted. In 2009 and early 2010, some U.S. visitors alleged that they were physically abused by arresting officers of the Antigua and Barbuda police force. These allegations are currently being investigated by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
Antigua and Barbuda use eminent domain laws that allow the government to legally expropriate private property for the betterment of the public. The concept of eminent domain and the expropriation of private property is typically governed by laws that require governments to adequately compensate owners of the expropriated property at the time of its expropriation or soon thereafter. The government of Antigua and Barbuda uses eminent domain to acquire private property, and the law in Antigua and Barbuda requires the government to compensate owners. However, in practice, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has not done this, and in one high-profile case involving a U.S. Citizen, the government of Antigua and Barbuda has yet to provide compensation for a private property expropriated under its eminent domain laws. This case has been under litigation for a number of years and is yet to be resolved, despite a favorable court ruling for the property owner. The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, therefore, recommends caution when investing in real estate in Antigua and Barbuda.
Disclaimer
You are responsible for ensuring that you meet and comply with foreign entry requirements, and health requirements and that you possess the appropriate travel documents. Information provided is subject to change without notice. One should confirm content prior to traveling from other reliable sources. Information published on this website may contain errors. You travel at your own risk and no warranties or guarantees are provided by us.