Application for Resident Permit
Any person who has been legally and ordinarily resident in Antigua and Barbuda for a period of no less than four years, or who has been married to an Antiguan Citizen for no less than one year, can make application to the Immigration Department for a resident permit. In addition, the person must not have entered the country illegally, intends to remain in Antigua and Barbuda permanently and has not been convicted of an offence.
Documents Required
The following documents must be submitted with the application are as follows:
- evidence of the payment of the prescribed fees
- a police certificate of character from Antigua and Barbuda and a place where the applicant has resided for over six months
- Health certificate issued by a medical practitioner as directed by the Immigration Department
- Letter from Statutory Boards to show that you have contributed to the necessary taxes.
- Copy of Bio Page of the applicant’s passport
- Birth and/or marriage certificate
- any other documentation that the Chief Immigration Officer requires to consider the application and to make a decision.
Resident Permit Entitlement
The Chief Immigration Officer will issue a Resident Certificate once the application has been approved which entitle the successful applicant:
- To accept employment and
- To have reside with him any dependents who were listed in his resident permit application and who were approved by the Chief Immigration Officer. The Certificate may also be varied subsequently to add or remove dependents or to change an occupation.
Upon the death of, or divorce from a resident permit holder, the right of the surviving or former spouse to reside in Antigua and Barbuda may be revoked at the discretion of the Chief Immigration Officer; but the surviving or former spouse may, within a period of three months of any revocation, apply for the grant of a Resident Permit in their own right. The same eligibility requirements set out above must be satisfied.
Where an application for a Resident Permit has been made within the three months from the date of the revocation, the applicant’s right to reside in Antigua and Barbuda shall continue upon such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the Chief Immigration Officer until the determination of the application of.