Travel Tips

5 min read

Antigua Entry Essentials: Passport Rules for Land & Sea Trips

Picture this: you're steps away from Antigua's sun-kissed shores, but there's one gatekeeper — your passport. Do you need it, or can you waltz onto the island? Let's unpack this travel conundrum.

Tobi Miles
June 27, 2022

With a population of less than 100,000, Antigua is one of the two major islands that make up the Caribbean. The island is a popular vacation destination known for its white sand beaches and tasty food. So, do you need a passport to go to Antigua?

U.S. citizens arriving by plane need a valid U.S. passport when traveling to Antigua. The passport cannot expire for six months after the departure date and must have two open pages. Travelers also need proof of departure from the country before entering, such as a plane ticket. On closed-loop cruises, you can use a birth certificate.

In addition to having a valid passport and departure date, you may also need to provide proof of your accommodations. Additionally, before booking your trip, make sure that you have at least two blank passport pages. Follow along as we explore everything you need to know before your trip to Antigua.

What Documents Do I Need To Fly To Antigua?

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The first thing you need to fly to Antigua is a valid passport with at least two blank pages left. The passport should be valid for at least six months after you depart from Antigua. If you have to apply for a passport, you can find the guidelines on the U.S. travel website.

In addition to a valid passport, you will need proof of a return ticket out of Antigua to another destination. You may be required to show this to immigration representatives as well as confirmation proof of your accommodations.

If you are fully vaccinated, you are not required to test unless you visibly show symptoms to enter Antigua. Partially or unvaccinated visitors must present a negative, certified PCR test result that they took less than three days before arrival. Rapid Antigen Tests may qualify if they are taken less than 24 hours prior to arrival in Antigua.

Can I Use A Birth Certificate In Place Of A Passport To Travel To Antigua?

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Passport requirements differ if you’re traveling by plane versus cruise ship. If you travel to Antigua by airplane, you cannot use a birth certificate in place of a passport. Additionally, your passport must be valid for six months after departure and have two blank pages.

However, if traveling to Antigua by ship, you can use your birth certificate if the cruise starts and ends at the same port. However, the U.S. Department of State recommends that all U.S. citizens bring their passports with them.

This recommendation is because a passport is necessary in case of an emergency requiring you to fly home. Therefore, your best course of action is to bring your passport on your cruise, even if you don’t technically need it.

Related Read: Best Time To Visit St. Barth’s

Current Travel Restrictions for Antigua

Antigua does not have many travel restrictions, but if you are not vaccinated, you will have to follow specific guidelines. These guidelines include testing or quarantining, both at your own expense. Unvaccinated minors 5 to 18 must present an approved negative test; however, minors younger than five years old do not.

Do You Need To Get A Vaccine To Go To Antigua?

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Vaccinations are not required in order to go to Antigua. If you are fully vaccinated, you do not have to present a negative test result for entry into Antigua.

If you are not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated, you have three options in order to enter Antigua:

  • Present a negative PCR test taken no more than three days before arrival in Antigua. You may also present a negative Rapid Antigen Test taken no more than 24 hours prior to arrival in Antigua.
  • If you did not test before arrival in Antigua, you would have to take an RT-PCR test on arrival. You will have to cover this test at your own expense.
  • If you are partially vaccinated, you may quarantine for 10 days in your own accommodations. But if you are not vaccinated, you must quarantine for 14 days in your own accommodations.

If you choose to quarantine, officials may instruct you to stay at a government quarantine facility. They may also require you to wear a monitoring bracelet according to the Quarantine Authority regulations.

Minors between the ages of five and 18 must present a negative RT-PCR test taken less than three days before arrival. Or, minors can show a negative Rapid Antigen Test taken no more than 24 hours prior to arrival. Children under five are not required to take a COVID-19 test.

Related Read: Best Time to Visit Barbados

Does A Child Need A Passport To Go To Antigua?

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All visitors, including children, infants, and newborns, need a passport to go to Antigua if they are flying. The passport must be valid six months after departure and have two blank pages. If your child does not have a passport, leave adequate time to plan ahead, as the process can be lengthy.

Minors under the age of 16 must complete the passport application in person with at least one parent. The child and parent will have to do the following documents:

  • Fill out and submit form DS-11.
  • Provide U.S. citizenship of the minor such as a birth certificate.
  • The parent will have to provide U.S. citizenship and proof of parental relationship to the child as well.
  • The parent must provide legal documentation such as a driver’s license.
  • The minor will have to provide one passport size photo and pay any fees associated with the passport.
  • The parent will have to provide a document showing consent for the child to receive the passport.

Do You Need A Passport To Go To Antigua By Cruise Ship?

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U.S. citizens don’t need a passport to go to Antigua by cruise ship if the cruise originates and terminates in the United States. You can use several documents to prove U.S. citizenship if you’re going on a cruise.

U.S. citizens can prove citizenship on a cruise by supplying a U.S. Birth Certificate and photo ID. This identification can be a driver’s license or an identity card. Keep in mind that the birth certificate must be valid; hospital birth certificates are not accepted.

If you have a passport, you can use that as proof of citizenship to board a cruise. Your passport book must be valid for at least six months after your cruise. You can always visit the United States Department of State travel website if you have more questions.

Related Read: Best Time to Visit the Caribbean

Do You Need A REAL ID To Go To Antigua?

You do not need a REAL ID to go to Antigua. Additionally, if traveling by air, you cannot use a REAL ID to enter Antigua. U.S. citizens traveling to Antigua by cruise ship can use a REAL ID, but it is not required.

A passport is not required if you are going on a cruise ship to Antigua. However, it is recommended to bring a passport in case of an emergency. A valid passport book should have at least one blank page for an entry stamp.

You can use a REAL ID to enter Antigua on a closed-loop cruise. This means that it is a round-trip to the same U.S. port.

Do You Need A Visa To Go To Antigua?

U.S. citizens traveling to Antigua for vacation do not need a visa if the stay is less than six months. The amount of time you’re allowed to stay in Antigua is ultimately determined by the immigration officer stamping your passport. This time can be extended at the local immigration office.

What Islands Can You Go To Without A Passport?

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If you’re yearning for the tropics but don’t have a passport, you can still enjoy a great vacation. There are several overseas exotic places you can travel to that don’t require U.S. citizens to bring a passport.

These locations include Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, Guam, and American Samoa.

You can visit each location by plane and won’t need to go through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. They all range in price points, some more expensive than others, but the ease of travel makes up for the price. From the beaches to the tops of volcanoes, you’re sure to enjoy your time.

Related Read: Do You Need A Passport To Go To Puerto Rico?

Summary

No one wants to start their vacation with unnecessary headaches or delays. Therefore, to prevent these troubles, try to plan as much as possible. If you’re traveling by plane, all travelers will need a passport; if you’re traveling by cruise ship, you won’t.

Antigua doesn’t require much paperwork to visit, but the documents they do require, you shouldn’t forget. You will need proof of departure for when you will leave, such as a plane ticket. The immigration representatives also may require you to show proof of accommodations.

Antigua does not have COVID-19 vaccination requirements. However, there are COVID-19 testing guidelines if you are not vaccinated. Those who are not vaccinated, or not fully vaccinated should follow the rules listed on the Antigua travel website.

Before leaving for the airport or cruise ship, double check that you have all the necessary documents. Also, give yourself enough time so that you don’t have to hurry through the travel process.

Tobi Miles
Article updated:
January 5, 2024
A nomadic wordsmith savoring the world's flavors and penning stories that turn every journey into an epic.
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