Antiguan applicants for Canadian visas can now go to Barbados

Antigua and Barbuda’s non-resident High Commissioner to Canada, Sir Ronald Sanders, says that he has been informed by the Canadian Government that with effect from today, nationals of Antigua and Barbuda can submit biometric data for visas at the Canadian High Commission in Barbados in addition to Trinidad and Tobago.

The Antigua and Barbuda diplomat said: “This is a welcome development for Antiguans and Barbudans who can now travel to Barbados, incurring less costs than going to Trinidad. We thank the Canadian authorities for responding favourably to our requests to ease the burden on our people”.

He noted that, “The inclusion of Barbados as a location at which biometric data for visas can be delivered, gives Antigua and Barbuda nationals two locations in the region.   For business people, this is a better option since, while in Trinidad or Barbados on business, they can call at a Canadian High Commission”.

Ambassador Sanders said this decision by the Canadian authorities also makes it easier for regular travellers and visitors to see both the US and Canadian visa issuing offices in one location.

While welcoming the Canadian decision to include Barbados as a location to provide biometric data and to apply for visas, Ambassador Sanders added that diplomatic efforts are continuing to reach an even better solution, particularly one where there can be mobile collection of biometric data collection, thus reducing the costs even further.

He stressed that the option of going to Barbados to deliver biometric data is effective from today.

In June 2017 Trinidad-based Canadian High Commissioner advised Prime Minister Gaston Browne of the visa restriction for Antiguans.

At the time, the Canadian official said that a concern is that Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Programme is not a residency programme.

In response, Prime Minister Browne pointed to the intense vetting of its CIP system, the revenues to the people of Antigua and Barbuda when the terms of trade and aid have declined and the banking system is threatened.

The Antigua Government  noted then that despite the end of visa-free travel, the official Canadian government statement said, “Canada continues to welcome visitors from Antigua and Barbuda.

“Most approved visa applicants will receive a multiple-entry visa, which allows travellers to visit Canada as many times as they want, for up to 10 years. For each visit, travellers can stay for up to six months,” the statement noted.

It said that Antigua and Barbuda is the last of the countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States(OECS)  from whom the Canadian government has withdrawn visa-free travel, at a time of heightened security over terrorism and refugees.

It said that of all 14 independent CARICOM countries, Antigua and Barbuda, Bahamas and Barbados were the only ones that had continued to enjoy visa-free travel to Canada.

“The Canadian Government was keen to point out in its official statement that “Canada remains firmly committed to its partnership with Antigua and Barbuda and values working together on mutual challenges and opportunities”.

Prime Minister Browne said that at a time of intensified concerns about terrorism and refugees in North America and Europe, including evidence of ISIS recruits in the Caribbean, he recognized the concerns that Canada and other countries might have.

He has pledged that, as part of the international effort to combat terrorist activity, Antigua and Barbuda would continue to be vigilant with its passports and border security.

Browne said that the two countries have already started working to make the system of visa applications and approvals for Antigua and Barbuda citizens is as efficient and affordable as possible.