CONTENT|CONTENU

TRAVEL REPORT
Antigua and Barbuda

1. RECENT UPDATES

Section 5 has been updated (contact information).

Since January 23, 2007, all Canadian citizens transiting the United States when travelling to and from Antigua and Barbuda by air must comply with entry requirements to the U.S. For more information, please see the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) web site.

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2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

There is no Official Warning for this country.

Antigua and Barbuda

Exercise normal security precautions

Exercise high degree of caution

Avoid non-essential travel

Avoid all travel

Canadians should exercise a high degree of caution in Antigua and Barbuda due to limited medical resources, generally poor road conditions, unreliable public transportation, and moderate crime rates.

The hurricane season extends from June 1^st to November 30^th. For more information, please see our Global Issue on the hurricane season.

OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency abroad, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad.

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3. SAFETY AND SECURITY

The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions.

Petty crime occurs as well as armed assaults against tourists. There has been a recent increase in crime involving guns. Travellers should take necessary precautions and remain vigilant. Avoid deserted and unpatrolled beaches after dark. Check with local authorities to determine which beaches are safe. Do not carry large sums of cash or wear jewellery. Ensure valuables, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times.

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4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS

It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries or regions have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the destination(s) to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties.

The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Antiguan authorities. However, these requirements are subject to change at any time. It is the traveller's responsibility to check with the High Commission for the Countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States or its consulates for up-to-date information.

A valid Canadian passport should be carried for all visits outside Canada, and it should be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to Canada. However, for travel to Antigua and Barbuda, Canadians are only required to be in possession of valid official photo identification (such as a driver's licence) and proof of citizenship (such as a birth certificate). Travellers may encounter difficulties upon entry/departure without a valid passport. All travellers to Antigua must be in possession of an onward or return ticket.

Since January 23, 2007, all Canadian citizens transiting the United States when travelling to and from Antigua and Barbuda by air must comply with entry requirements to the U.S. For more information, please see our Global Issues page.

Tourist Visa: Not required
Business Visa: Not required
Student Permit: Required

If planning to marry in Antigua and Barbuda, ensure you meet all requirements before leaving Canada. Most countries require you to produce a certificate stating that there are no Canadian impediments to your marriage. You should arrange to obtain the certificate in Canada before your departure.

An airport tax of 50EC$ must be payed upon departure for persons over 12 years of age.

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A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship is not a travel document. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document available to Canadians for the purpose of international travel. Canadian citizens returning to Canada who present other documents, such as a Certificate of Canadian Citizenship, birth certificate, provincial driver’s license, or foreign passport, instead of a Canadian passport, may face delays or be denied boarding by transport companies.

Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services.

Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify all visa requirements for this and other destinations, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders.

Any adult travelling with children may be required to show evidence of parental/custodial and/or access rights. Foreign and Canadian authorities may also require evidence that the adult has the consent of the parents, legal guardian, and/or the court to travel with the children. Some countries or regions may not permit children to enter or, in some cases, leave the country or region without proper documentation such as a letter of consent or a court order.

Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries or regions do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada.

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5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

There is no resident Canadian government office in Antigua and Barbuda. You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Barbados - BRIDGETOWN, High Commission of Canada
Address: Bishop's Court Hill, St. Michael, P.O. Box 404, Bridgetown, Barbados BB11000
Tel.: (246) 429-3550
Fax: (246) 437-7436
E-Mail: bdgtn@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.barbados.gc.ca

For emergency assistance after hours, call the High Commission of Canada in Bridgetown, Barbados, and follow the instructions. You may also place a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa at 613-996-8885.

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6. TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.

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7. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

As in many other areas of the Caribbean and Latin America, travellers are advised to take appropriate precautions to protect themselves against water-borne and mosquito-borne diseases by using mosquito repellent (DEET), and avoiding swampy or low lying areas where mosquitoes are more prevalent. Using physical barriers such as mosquito nets and long sleeved shirts is also recommended.

Medical facilities are adequate, but there is no decompression chamber available on the island. Cases are referred to Guadeloupe. Clinics and hospitals may expect immediate cash payment for medical services.

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8. LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Law prohibits civilians from importing camouflage material. It is an offence for civilians to dress in camouflage clothing or to carry items made of camouflage material.

Local customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation or export of items such as firearms, medications, and animals. It is advisable to contact the High Commission for the Countries of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States in Ottawa (see below) for specific information regarding customs requirements.

Canadians interested in purchasing property or making other investments should seek legal advice from appropriate professionals in Canada and in this country before making commitments. Disputes arising from such activities could be prolonged and costly to resolve.

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9. TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Traffic drives on the left. Road conditions are generally poor. There are few street lights and a lack of signage. Wild animals may stray into traffic. Information on road conditions and traffic safety can be obtained from the Antigua Tourist Board (tel.: 268-462-0480).

A local driving permit is required to drive in Antigua and Barbuda. This can be obtained for 50EC$ at any car rental agency or police station upon presentation of a valid Canadian driver's licence.

See our FAQ on transportation in order to verify if national airlines meet safety standards.

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The currency is the East Caribbean dollar (EC$).Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

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10. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

The hurricane season extends from June to the end of November. You are advised to visit the Web site of the National Hurricane Center for information on weather conditions.

Flooding and mudslides may occur during this period with possible disruption to transportation and utility services. Canadians should monitor local weather reports, avoid disaster areas, and contact the High Commission of Canada in Bridgetown, Barbados (see above), if they require assistance. Travellers should check with their travel agent or tour operator to confirm their travel plans prior to departure.

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11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.

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12. ANNEX

N/A

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