Amnesty Programme Finds Its Stride as Immigration Processes About 40 Applicants Daily

What began with long lines and some confusion is now settling into a more orderly process, with Antigua and Barbuda’s immigration amnesty programme processing about 40 applicants each day.

Chief Immigration Officer Katrina Yearwood said the initiative is unfolding largely as expected, with immigration officials refining the process after a hectic opening day that saw far more people turn up than could be accommodated.

The programme, which offers undocumented residents a pathway to regularise their immigration status, operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Registration begins shortly before 2 p.m., with applications accepted between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. each day.

Yearwood said a numbering system has helped 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 after many turned up well before the designated registration hours.

Officials now begin each session by reviewing applicants’ documents before they are processed. Those who arrive without all of the required paperwork are asked to return another day once their applications are complete.

Applicants must provide a completed application form, a passport-sized photograph and a police record.
After submitting their applications, individuals are given an appointment to return 14 days later for an endorsement. At that stage, immigration officials either extend their status under the amnesty or schedule them for the next step toward residency or citizenship, depending on how long they have lived in the country.

The amnesty applies to people who have been living in Antigua and Barbuda without legal immigration status for more than four years.

Yearwood explained that the initiative is intended to regularise an applicant’s immigration history by addressing gaps in their record, allowing them to qualify for residency or citizenship where eligible. For example, someone who has remained in the country without status for four years would be able to move on to the residency application process after being granted amnesty.

She acknowledged there were some initial challenges when the programme opened, attributing the early confusion to many applicants either not seeing or not fully understanding the Public Service Announcement outlining the registration process and required documentation. However, she said the operation has since become more organised as officials and applicants have adjusted to the system.

While encouraged by the programme’s early progress, Yearwood cautioned that it remains too soon to make any firm assessment, 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.