Cabinet Grants Immigrants 60 Days to Regularize Expired Status
By Cory Wayland
Immigrants whose legal status in Antigua and Barbuda has expired have been given 60 days to regularize their stay or leave the country.
The measure was approved by the Cabinet during a specially convened meeting on Monday, August 10, focused on strengthening border security and addressing national security concerns.
The new grace period takes immediate effect, allowing affected individuals a maximum of 60 days to visit the Immigration Department and bring their status into compliance.
Anyone who fails to regularize within the stipulated period will be required to depart Antigua and Barbuda. However, the Cabinet said those individuals may be permitted to return at a later date, provided they satisfy the applicable immigration requirements.
According to the Cabinet, the grace period is intended to give immigrants with expired status a reasonable opportunity to address their circumstances while supporting stronger border-management and national-security measures.
Monday’s meeting brought together the National Security Council and senior representatives from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda, Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force, Immigration Department, Customs and Excise Division, Office of National Drug and Money Laundering Control Policy and National Solid Waste Management Authority.
About the author
Cory Wayland is the Social Media Co-ordinator at Antigua.News, where he manages digital content strategy, audience engagement, and real-time news publications across social platforms. With a keen eye for trending topics and a commitment to factual storytelling, Cory plays a key role in shaping the online voice of Antigua.News.
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Comments (3)
Anonymous August 11, 2026, 11:03 AM
Gaston Brown, I know you and your family are being guarded and protected by the police and soldiers so you sleep comfortably.
If you are serious about national security why not stop playing politics and enforce the laws of the land equally and fairly for everyone no matter who you are.
Your government has made a mockery of the immigration department and its laws….
Just before the last general election you did the same thing, remember??
GASTON TAKE A PAGE OUT OF THE BOOK DONALD TRUMP IS READING AND PUT ANTIGUA AND ITS NATIONALS FIRST FOR A CHANGE….
Apex Jones August 11, 2026, 9:41 AM
Does this apply to CARICOM nationals?
#AmnestyAgain?? Have mercy August 11, 2026, 9:17 AM