Dear Editor,
Following discussions with senior immigration officials, there is a renewed call for the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to introduce a one-year work exemption for residents who have met the time requirement for citizenship but remain unable to work legally due to current immigration rules.
Under existing law, residents who have completed the required years of residence to qualify for citizenship are not allowed to work if they are on an extension of stay.
This restriction leaves many long-term residents in an unfair position.
They have built their lives in Antigua and Barbuda, but once their work permit expires and they move to an extension, they lose their right to earn an income.
At the same time, requiring a work permit at or after seven years of residence creates unnecessary complications.
By that stage, many are already eligible for citizenship and should not be forced to go through another round of permit fees and bureaucracy.
This overlap in policy causes confusion, financial strain, and in some cases, illegal work situations that could have been avoided with better planning.
The proposal calls for a one-year work exemption stamp issued to individuals who have already completed a standard immigration eligibility check confirming they qualify for citizenship.
Only those who have been verified through this process would be eligible for the exemption.
This one-year stamp would:• Be issued at the same fee as a standard extension.• Grant full legal permission to work during the 12-month period.• Allow residents to save funds and complete all necessary documentation to file for citizenship.• Require additional quarterly fees after the one year if the person fails to submit their citizenship application.
This ensures that only those who are genuinely eligible benefit from the policy, while maintaining accountability and encouraging timely applications.
Key Benefits• Economic Impact: Keeps experienced residents in the workforce, supporting key industries and sustaining tax contributions.• Administrative Relief: Reduces unnecessary work permit applications and lightens the workload for immigration officials.• Fairness: Gives residents who have proven their long-term commitment a chance to complete the citizenship process without financial or legal obstacles.• Government Revenue: Maintains fee collection through the one-year stamp and any late-application penalties.• Regulatory Control: Limits access to only those vetted and confirmed eligible by immigration authorities.
Implementation Recommendations
1. The Immigration Department should conduct the eligibility check and issue a clearance letter confirming citizenship eligibility before granting the one-year stamp.
2. Clear public communication should outline the steps, requirements, and costs.
3. Employers should receive official notice authorizing eligible workers to remain employed during the exemption period.
4. The Ministry of Legal Affairs should update regulations to reflect the exemption policy and close existing legal gaps.
Many long-term residents have lived in Antigua and Barbuda for over seven years, contributing to the nation’s growth in tourism, construction, healthcare, and education.
Yet, without this exemption, they are forced into unemployment or uncertainty once their work permit expires.
Allowing them a structured, legal path to citizenship benefits everyone.
It promotes economic stability, supports social integration, and strengthens the link between residents and the state.
It also sends a message that Antigua and Barbuda values fairness, contribution, and order in its immigration system.
The proposed one-year exemption for citizenship-eligible residents, limited to those who have passed the official eligibility check, is a balanced and sensible policy.
It protects the interests of both the government and the residents, ensures compliance with the law, and encourages long-term integration.
By implementing this policy, Antigua and Barbuda would take a major step toward a more efficient, fair, and transparent immigration framework one that rewards commitment and supports national development.