Prime Minister Gaston Browne
Prime Minister Gaston Browne has expressed concern that new United States visa restrictions on citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are having a direct impact on families, students and businesses, while maintaining that his Government remains optimistic the measures will not become permanent.
Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the 51st CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting in Saint Lucia, Browne said the revised visa policy is creating unnecessary hardships for Antiguans who depend on travel to the United States for education, business and family visits.
“The visa policy of the United States is undermining trade, commerce and even our students who require a visa to study in the United States,” Browne said.
“We also have individuals who like to visit their relatives in the United States, and they too are affected.”
Under the revised policy, visitor visas issued to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are now limited to a single entry and are valid for only three months, replacing the previous 10-year multiple-entry visas. Some applicants may also be required to post a bond of up to US$15,000. The changes were introduced amid US security concerns surrounding Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme.
Despite the restrictions, Browne said he believes the measures were intended to be temporary.
“I believe that it would have fallen on July 1st, even though we have not heard formally from anyone in the U.S. We’re still hopeful that now that July 1st has actually come, that it will not be repeated,” he said.
“We haven’t heard any words from the United States to confirm whether or not they’re going to extend it or if it falls away. Again, we hope that the latter will prevail and that the restrictions will fall away because at any day we have absolutely no issue in the United States.”
The Prime Minister emphasized that Antigua and Barbuda continues to enjoy a close and cooperative relationship with Washington, describing the United States as the country’s most important development partner.
“We consider the US to be our most important partner in development,” Browne said, noting that approximately 80 percent of the goods consumed in Antigua and Barbuda originate from the United States.
“Our most significant source market for tourists is the United States, and so for us, our development is inextricably linked to that of the United States. And we continue to work harmoniously with the US.”
Browne also addressed discussions surrounding a proposed arrangement that would allow Antigua and Barbuda to accept third-country nationals deported by the United States.
He reiterated that while the Government is prepared to participate in such a programme, national security remains its highest priority.
“All we’re seeking to do here is to protect our country to make sure that we do not attract criminal elements to our country,” Browne said.
“But we have indicated to them that we will certainly participate in the third country nationals programme.
“And we’re hoping that we will get an acceptable agreement, one that precludes any criminal elements whatsoever from coming to our country, and one in which we will have an amount of individuals to contend with within our own limited capacity.”
Browne said his Government will continue engaging with US officials in the hope that the visa restrictions are lifted while preserving the strong diplomatic and economic ties between the two countries.
Thats the best we can do… Remain hopeful
Mr.PM, urge Antiguans and Caricom to check the Cuba model. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Work with who will work with you. Trade within CARICOM, Canada, China, the middle East, Africa,Europe. Stop giving your lunch money to bullies. The quality of goods coming in will be better and safer. They have been dumping unhealthy products in these “S**thole” countries for years. Also sell the WTO ruling rights to China. There other places that Caricomians can go without being racially profiled and treated like dirt. If sometime in the future that the UN decides that countries that accepted these 3rd party deportees took part in human trafficking and have to pay reparations, our hands will be clean. We respected their sovereignty, they should respect ours. We will remain respectful to them but we will not be bullied. If we don’t make a stand somewhere, we will fall for anything. Soon we will be deciding to accept radioactive waste for a small fee. Caricomians are not subhuman and should not accept being treated as such anymore.
You’re so true. There are other countries in the world đ that Caricomisne can explore besides America. For me, I don’t think the American government is going to lift those visa restrictions any time soon. There are hundreds of Caricomians whose US visas have expired this year (2026), including those from Antigua and Barbuda. Instead of waiting for the restrictions to be lifted before replying, why not explore other countries in Europe, Canada, Asia, Africa, and South America? We can come together and plan a group trip package to these countries to help reduce travel costs if traveling alone.
You’re so true. There are other countries in the world đ that Caricomians can explore besides America. I don’t think the American government will lift the visa restrictions any time soon. There are hundreds of Caricomians whose US visas have already expired this year (2026), and more are going to expire, including in Antigua and Barbuda. Instead of waiting for the restrictions to be lifted before replying for renewal , why not explore other countries in Europe, Canada, Asia, Africa, and South America? We can come together and plan group trips package to these countries to help reduce travel costs than traveling alone.