Antigua and Barbuda is temporarily tightening its entry requirements for travelers arriving from Africa, amid heightened health vigilance over Ebola and other serious infectious diseases.
In notes published after the May 27, 2026 Cabinet meeting, the government of Antigua and Barbuda said it is continuing to monitor several emerging global public health concerns, including the spread of Ebola virus disease in parts of Africa. As part of those efforts, authorities said precautionary border measures will remain in place.
“As part of the government’s precautionary measures, Cabinet reiterated its existing policy that no visa waivers will be granted to individuals travelling from any African country,” Maurice Merchant, Director General of Communications, said during the post-Cabinet briefing following the weekly Cabinet meeting.
The measure is therefore based on the traveler’s point of departure, not nationality: anyone traveling from an African country is affected, including travelers whose citizenship would normally allow visa-free entry to Antigua and Barbuda.
Travelers covered by the measure will therefore have to apply for a visa before departure and will not be able to use a visa waiver that might otherwise apply.
A 45-day travel history will be required
Authorities also said that people applying for a visa to Antigua and Barbuda from an African country will have to disclose their travel history for the 45 days preceding the application. This information will be included in the visa screening and application process.
The government also said entry visas will be denied to travelers who have recently been in countries or regions affected by Ebola or other known serious viral outbreaks.
“Cabinet further advised that individuals who have recently travelled to countries or regions affected by Ebola or other known serious viral outbreaks will be denied entry visas in the interest of safeguarding public health and national security,” Merchant added.
Cabinet described the measures as precautionary and intended to limit risks linked to international travel and the spread of infectious diseases. At this stage, the Cabinet notes do not provide a detailed list of the African countries or health-risk areas concerned, nor do they set out the practical procedures that will apply to each travel situation.
Stronger health screening at the airport
The decision is part of a broader set of health measures announced by the Ministry of Health, Wellness, Environment and Civil Service Affairs. In a statement, the ministry said no suspected or confirmed case of Ebola had been reported in Antigua and Barbuda, but that the country had strengthened its national preparedness and surveillance at points of entry.
The measures include increased monitoring at ports of entry, strengthened infection prevention and control procedures in health care facilities, and ongoing coordination with regional and international public health agencies.
The ministry also announced the reinstallation of infrared thermal cameras at V.C. Bird International Airport to strengthen screening of arriving passengers.
The enhanced surveillance also comes as additional international flights from Nigeria began arriving on May 25, 2026, with increased health presence at the airport and closer coordination with immigration, customs, airport authorities and airlines.
A temporary and precautionary measure
The Ministry of Health had previously said it would recommend temporary measures to Cabinet targeting people who had been in identified outbreak areas during the 45 days before their arrival in Antigua and Barbuda.
The Cabinet notes published on May 27 confirm the direction adopted by the government, with visa waivers restricted and visa applications subject to stronger screening.
Antiguan authorities say the risk to the country remains low at this stage, but that heightened vigilance at the border is necessary. The government said it will continue to monitor developments and remain in contact with regional and international public health agencies.
For travelers affected by the announcement, the measure means checking before departure whether a visa application is now required and, where applicable, preparing information about all travel undertaken during the previous 45 days.
