The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has announced plans to substantially tighten its Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) following visa-related restrictions imposed by the United States, in a bid to address security concerns and safeguard long-standing diplomatic ties between both countries.
The Consul General of Antigua and Barbuda to Nigeria, Ambassador Williams Wallace, disclosed this on Sunday during an interview with Arise News.
He said the policy review was already underway, with a focus on strengthening residency requirements for applicants seeking Antiguan citizenship through investment.
According to Wallace, the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has acknowledged that the existing residency conditions were too relaxed and no longer adequate in meeting international security expectations.
Under the former arrangement, successful applicants were only required to spend a cumulative five days in the country over a five-year period.
He explained that this provision had been exploited by some new citizens who merely visited briefly to fulfil the requirement before leaving permanently, a situation that raised concerns among U.S. authorities.
Wallace noted that Washington’s objections were driven primarily by security considerations, particularly doubts about the level of commitment shown by some individuals acquiring Antiguan citizenship.
He said the United States expects new citizens to demonstrate genuine ties to their adopted country, especially given the global implications of visa-free travel.
As an initial corrective measure, Wallace revealed that the Antiguan government has increased the mandatory residency period to 30 days.
He added that further extensions, possibly up to 90 days within a specified timeframe, were being considered, depending on the outcome of ongoing discussions with international partners.
He stressed that the action taken by the United States was not political but rooted in legitimate security concerns, noting that a country of Antigua and Barbuda’s size would not be subjected to restrictions without serious cause.
Explaining the citizenship application process, Wallace said the programme already includes multiple layers of due diligence and background checks.
He however, warned that attempts to circumvent official procedures through unauthorised intermediaries posed a significant risk.
According to him, only licensed legal practitioners and professional accountants are authorised to act as agents in the citizenship-by-investment process, and they are held accountable under strict professional regulations.
He cautioned that individuals claiming to obtain passports through unofficial channels not only violate Antiguan laws but also attract the scrutiny of U.S. intelligence agencies.
Wallace further acknowledged that Nigeria’s security profile, particularly concerns related to terrorism financing, fraud and money laundering, has heightened U.S. sensitivity to citizenship and visa applications linked to the country.
He also pointed to a sharp increase in visa applications from holders of Antiguan passports as another factor that triggered alarm.
He said an unusual surge in applications within a short period naturally raises red flags for immigration authorities.
On the potential economic impact, Wallace warned that prolonged restrictions could negatively affect Antigua and Barbuda’s tourism-driven economy.
He noted that tourism remained the backbone of the country’s revenue and that any perception of heightened risk could discourage cruise operators and international visitors.
Despite the challenges, Wallace expressed optimism that the situation would be resolved through diplomatic engagement.
He highlighted the role of Antigua and Barbuda’s ambassador to the United States, who has maintained strong ties with U.S. officials for over a decade, as well as ongoing consultations at the highest levels of government.
He reaffirmed Antigua and Barbuda’s commitment to full cooperation, stressing that the country is prepared to comply with all reasonable security requirements put forward by the United States.
Wallace expressed confidence that private dialogue between the Antiguan Prime Minister and the U.S. administration would lead to a mutually acceptable resolution, noting that relations between both countries have historically been cordial and are expected to remain so.
