Visa and entry requirements for Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda

Visa Entry

Chinese tourists visiting Antigua and Barbuda (hereinafter referred to as Anba) may enter Antigua and Barbuda visa-free for a stay of not more than 30 days.  Visa is required for study, work, visit, etc.  Anbar has not yet opened an embassy in China, and its consular visa business in China is handled by British agents.  Applicants should apply to the Visa Centre of the British Embassy in China for an Anba entry visa.   For details, please call the visa Centre at 400-821-1182 (dial from mainland), 86-21-28939105 (dial from Hong Kong, Macao and overseas).  Visit the visa center website for detail: http://www.vfs-uk-cn.com/vfsglobalintroduction.html.

The immigration/customs registration card is required when entering the country.  The immigration registration card is divided into two parts, the upper part is the entry information, which is handed to the immigration officer when entering the country; the lower part is the departure information, which is returned when leaving the country.  After the Immigration Bureau verifies that the valid passport and visa are correct, the Anba Customs will collect the customs registration card and conduct random inspections of passengers’ luggage.  Passengers must pay 70 East Caribbean dollars (or 28 U.S. dollars) departure tax when they leave the country.  If they do not leave the airport for transit and children under the age of 16 are exempt from the departure tax.

Transit at Anba Airport and do not leave the airport for 24 hours, do not need to apply for a visa.  Passengers travelling by cruise ship stay in Anba for less than 24 hours and do not need to apply for a visa.

The Customs & epidemic prevention

　　 Anba implements the internationally accepted entry and exit quarantine policy, and customs declaration and tax payment are required to bring goods into the country. Adult passengers over the age of 18 can carry 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 0.5 pound of tobacco per person, and can carry no more than 1 British quart (1.136 liters) of alcoholic beverages.  Persons under the age of 18 are not allowed to carry the above items.

　　 Carrying more than 10,000 US dollars in cash or other equivalent currencies in and out of the country must be declared.  Those who fail to declare will be punished by a fixed-term imprisonment of up to 2 years or a fine of US$5,000, or both.

　　 Anba is prohibited from carrying or wearing camouflage uniforms, and offenders’ clothing will be requisitioned.

To bring pets into the country, you must apply for permission from the VETERINARY AND LIVESTOCK DIVISION in advance, and provide corresponding materials according to the type of pet and the place of origin.  For specific requirements, please call the quarantine station (1-268) 460-1759.

Residence & Naturalization

Anbar issues working visas with periods of stay ranging from 3 months to 6 months and may apply for extension upon expiration.  People who have worked in Anbar for more than one year can apply for a residence permit.   Anba’s residency policy is relatively strict.  Those who do not have a working visa will be departed within a limited time once they are found out.  Violators are not allowed to apply for a working visa within one year, and their employers or their guarantors will be held accountable.

You can apply for local nationality if you have settled in Anba for more than 7 years, and you can also apply for Anba nationality after you have married an Anba person for 3 years.  For details, please contact Anba Immigration Office at (1-268) 562-6693.

Products and Price of Commodities

Anba is a tourist country, without industry, agriculture only produces a small amount of potatoes, tomatoes, mangoes and other agricultural products, not self-sufficient. Living goods basically rely on imports, the price level is high.  With the exception of a few basic items such as bread and milk, an additional 15% excise duty is imposed on all goods.

The currency in circulation in Amba is the Eastern Caribbean dollar, which has a fixed exchange rate of 2.65 To 1 US dollar.  Most shops and hotels accept US dollars for payment.  Cash and cheques are the main forms of payment.  International credit CARDS are available for tourists in high-end hotels and supermarkets.  Local credit card penetration rate is low, credit system is not perfect.

At present, there are Bank of Nova Scotia, First Caribbean Bank, Antigua Commercial Bank, Royal Bank of Canada, etc. and many other Banks in Antigua.

Medical Insurance

Anba is free of tropical infectious diseases.  There is a large public hospital and a private clinic.  The public hospital is in good condition and can perform complex surgery,  but advance appointments are required.  There is no compulsory medical insurance for foreign tourists in Anbar.