Parliament has approved legislation paving the way for a new immigration amnesty programme that will allow certain undocumented migrants living in Antigua and Barbuda to regularize their status during a two-month window beginning July 1.
The Immigration and Passport (Amendment) Bill 2026 was passed in the House of Representatives on Tuesday, with Immigration Minister E.P. Chet Greene describing the initiative as an opportunity for eligible non-nationals to come forward and become compliant with the country’s immigration laws.
The amnesty will run from July 1 to Aug. 31.
Greene told Parliament that applicants will be required to provide a police record from every country in which they have resided during the previous four years.
In addition, applicants must pay a $500 processing fee and a $150 change-of-status endorsement fee, bringing the total cost of applying under the programme to $650.
“Persons applying for amnesty must provide a police record from every territory in which the applicant resided for the last four years,” Greene said while piloting the legislation.
The minister also outlined restrictions aimed at preventing repeated use of successive amnesty programmes.
Under the new law, individuals who have previously benefited from amnesty programmes on three occasions will not qualify for the latest initiative.
“A person who has applied for amnesty on three previous occasions is ineligible and will not qualify for the amnesty extended here and now by the government,” Greene told lawmakers.
Government officials have said the programme is intended to regularize the status of undocumented migrants who are already living and working in Antigua and Barbuda while ensuring that applicants undergo background checks before receiving legal status.
The legislation forms part of broader efforts by the government to strengthen immigration administration and bring more residents into compliance with national immigration requirements.
Authorities are expected to release additional details on the application process before the amnesty takes effect on July 1.