Embassies

Antigua and Barbuda’s bilateral and multilateral relations and its external representation are facilitated by the local Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The country’s main focal points in foreign politics include diplomatic and consular relations with nations of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), but also with members of the Commonwealth of Nations and other countries in the world. The state is involved in numerous Tax Information Exchange Agreements (TIEA) and is a member of the United Nations (UN) and the Regional Security System (RSS) of the Eastern Caribbean. It maintains good bilateral relations through embassies and consulates, in particular with the CARICOM states, Venezuela and the United States of America, operating four diplomatic missions in the latter.

There is a great number of institutions in the country working on bilateral cooperation between Antigua and Barbuda and designated countries: around 20 foreign embassies, high commissions and consulates are to be found, most of them in the capital city St John’s. Among them is the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China that emphasises strengthening the country’s infrastructure in order to maintain the economically important sector of tourism on the island. The Embassy of the United States of America strives for similar undertakings; pre-clearance for customs and immigration at airports is encouraged in order to facilitate tourism and ease congestion. Furthermore, the US Embassy is also committed to assist Antigua and Barbuda in terms of providing medical equipment and supplies for the country.

More than 15 embassies, high commissions and consulates around the world are operating on behalf of the Antigua and Barbudan government. Among those are permanent missions in London, UK; Toronto, Canada and Washington, USA that were established in the late 1980s and remain amongst the primary consular relations of the country. Antigua & Barbuda aspires to economic growth and integration as a member of both the Commonwealth of Nations and the United Nations. Embassies and other foreign missions can be contacted for information on consular matters such as visas, passports and travel.