The government plans to launch a three-month immigration amnesty beginning April 2 for undocumented migrants who have been living in Antigua and Barbuda for at least four years, Cabinet officials said.

The measure forms part of proposed amendments to immigration legislation that are expected to be debated in Parliament later this month.

Director General of Communications Maurice Merchant said Cabinet agreed that the amnesty programme would run for a limited period while authorities process applications from eligible migrants.

“They also agreed that the amnesty itself will start on the 2nd of April and will run for three months,” Merchant said during the Cabinet briefing.

Officials said the programme will apply to individuals who have been residing in the country for four years or more without legal status.

“The four-year start in terms of how long you’ve been in Antigua — they think it’s adequate,” Merchant said, noting that research suggests most individuals likely to apply for the programme have been living in the country for at least that length of time.

Cabinet also reviewed the proposed application process, including the documentation required and the cost to applicants.

Merchant said applicants will need to submit a police record covering the previous two years from their country of origin and from Antigua and Barbuda.

“They also agreed on a police record dating back two years from their country of origin,” he said.

The government has also reduced the proposed application fee. Merchant said Cabinet recommended a $250 processing fee, down from the $500 originally suggested in the draft legislation.

“The original bill recommended a $500 processing fee,” he said.

Under the proposal, the Chief Immigration Officer would be responsible for reviewing and approving applications submitted during the amnesty period.

Parliament is expected to consider the Immigration Amendment Bill on the 23rd of the month, when lawmakers will debate the details of the programme before it is formally implemented.