Last checked: November 2026
Whether you need a visa for Antigua depends on your passport. The Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Department lists most EU countries, the UK and many Commonwealth countries as visa-exempt, and other government pages name the US, Canada and Japan. If your passport isn’t exempt, you apply through the official eVisa portal.
Who needs a visa for Antigua?
The Immigration Department publishes the list that decides this, and it is the list to trust over any third-party site. Its page on countries exempt from visas groups visa-free passports like this:
- European countries: most EU member states, plus Serbia and the United Kingdom, are listed. A few EU members may not appear on the page, so check for your own passport instead of assuming.
- Commonwealth countries: including Australia, Canada, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa, Kenya and several Caribbean states. Not every Commonwealth member is listed.
- Other exemptions: the Antigua and Barbuda consulate in New York says US passport holders do not need a visa for holiday or business trips, and a government event page also names Japan.
- China and Cuba: citizens are exempt only if the trip does not exceed 30 days.
- Everyone else: the department says citizens of countries that appear on none of its lists require a visa.
If you hold a passport from South Asia, the Middle East, Africa or Latin America, do not assume the answer. Look up your passport on the official list first.
How to apply: the eVisa route
People who need a visa apply online. The department’s visa FAQ describes the eVisa as an official document that permits entry and travel, offered as an alternative to visas issued by overseas missions. The Antigua and Barbuda High Commission in the UK says it no longer issues visas and that applications go through the eVisa portal.
Use the government’s own eVisa portal. Many private sites offer to apply for you and add service fees, and their prices and processing times vary. We do not list a visa fee here because we could not confirm a current official figure, so read the portal for the fee and processing time before you pay.
Multiple-entry visas exist. According to the Immigration Department, they can be issued for 12 or 24 months at the visa officer’s discretion, and you tick the multiple-entry box on the application.
The department also lists a visa-on-arrival option for some travellers. The public pages do not make eligibility clear, so confirm with the department and your airline before you fly instead of relying on it at the airport.
Passport rules and entry conditions
For visa-exempt visitors, the department says you may stay as long as your business takes, up to six months, provided that:
- you hold a valid passport;
- you have an onward or return ticket;
- you have confirmation of accommodation; and
- you can show you are able to support yourself during the stay.
On passport validity, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office says British travellers need a passport that expires at least six months after arrival. Other governments give similar advice for their citizens, so treat six months as the safe rule and confirm it for your passport.
Documents to carry
- Passport valid for at least six months
- Approved eVisa, printed or saved on your phone, if you needed a visa
- Onward or return ticket
- Hotel booking or the address where you will stay
- Proof of funds, such as a card or bank statement
- Your ArriveAntigua QR code
- Travel insurance details
The ArriveAntigua arrival form
V.C. Bird International Airport asks passengers to complete an online immigration and customs declaration at ArriveAntigua.com within 72 hours of their flight. The airport says no app download is needed and that you receive a QR code to show on arrival. You can read the details on the airport’s customs and immigration page. Some news reports say the system also covers departure, so check the site again before you fly home.
Border checks on arrival
At the airport, immigration has separate lines for residents and visitors. Officers can ask about your return ticket, accommodation and funds, so keep those documents within easy reach instead of in checked luggage.
Cruise passengers
The Immigration Department’s FAQ says non-nationals who arrive at sea ports for tourism are exempt from a visa if their stay does not exceed 24 hours. If you plan to stay longer or overnight, check the rules for your passport.
Overstays and extensions
To stay longer than your permitted time, apply to the Immigration Department for an extension. The UK FCDO notes that an extension of stay must be applied for and paid for through the department. Apply before your permission ends, and do not rely on informal advice.
Safety notes that affect your trip
- The US State Department rates Antigua and Barbuda Level 1, Exercise Normal Precautions, in an advisory dated 20 May 2026.
- The State Department warns visitors not to bring firearms or ammunition without prior express consent from the government.
- The UK FCDO says crime including armed robbery has occurred, hurricanes are a seasonal risk, and smoking in public places is illegal.
Both governments can update their advice, so read the current US advisory and the UK travel advice shortly before you fly.
Common visa mistakes
- Relying on a private visa site instead of the official portal.
- Arriving without a return ticket or accommodation details.
- Travelling on a passport with less than six months left.
- Skipping the ArriveAntigua form and slowing down your arrival.
- Assuming a friend’s visa-free rules apply to your passport.
Once your entry documents are in order, match your dates to your permitted stay and your arrival plan. Our flights to Antigua guide covers airports and airlines, the where to stay in Antigua guide helps with the accommodation address border officers may ask for, and the Antigua and Barbuda travel guide gives the wider background.
FAQs
Can I get a visa on arrival in Antigua?
The Immigration Department lists a visa-on-arrival option for some travellers, but the public pages do not spell out who qualifies. Apply for an eVisa in advance unless the department or your airline confirms you can get one at the airport.
How long can I stay in Antigua as a tourist?
Visa-exempt visitors can stay up to six months, according to the Immigration Department, if they have a valid passport, an onward ticket, confirmation of accommodation and proof of funds. Visitors with an eVisa should follow the length printed on their approval.
Do I need a separate visa for Barbuda?
Barbuda is part of the same country, so there is no separate national visa for the sister island. Carry your passport or photo ID when you take the ferry or a flight, as a precaution.