The CIU has issued guidance on interviews and also a waiver for the 5-day trip for certain special cases.
Here's an overview of the CIU's interview FAQ and summarized the 5-day trip waiver possibilities here:
- A person who is unable to travel to Antigua and Barbuda due to infirmity or acute disability. These citizens are required to submit evidence of their infirmity or disability in the form of a sworn affidavit accompanied by supporting documentation, to include a medical report from a licensed physician which clearly outlines the issue and confirms the individual’s inability to travel. In the case of minors, the sworn affidavit is required to be submitted by their legal guardian.
- Minors who did not accompany their parents to Antigua for the 5-day visit will be eligible to renew their passport. However, it is important to note that this person will have to visit Antigua for 5 days before being allowed to renew their passport as an adult.
- Successful applicants who have attained the age of 80 at the time of the granting of citizenship or during the first five years thereafter.
All applications submitted on or after December 15, 2023 will have to undergo an interview. Here are some frequently asked questions:
1. At what stage of the application process would the interviews be conducted?
The interview will form part of the due diligence process and will be conducted virtually following the completion of the investigative component of the due diligence process.
2. Are the Licensed Agents required to sit in on these sessions? What is the process should an applicant wish to have an (external) agent be present?
Interviews will be conducted by third party service providers who have the capability of conducting the interview in the applicant’s native/preferred language. Licensed Agents and/or other external representatives are not required to be a part of this process.
3. What information will the CIU provided to the Licensed Agent before the interview?
The Unit, through the Licensed Agent, will confirm the date and time of the interview for the respective applicants. No other information will be provided as it relates to the types of questions that will be asked.
4. Will accommodation be made to have multiple sessions due to differences in time zones?
As all applicants aged 16 and older are required to be interviewed, interviews will be conducted in a single session for all members of the family unless expressly stated otherwise by the Unit. The Unit urges all applicants to select the earliest convenient date and time and attend the confirmed appointment to avoid scheduling conflicts and/or delays with the processing of their application.
5. How will the date/time be selected?
Applicants will receive a minimum of three (3) choices from which to select. All communication will berouted via the Licensed Agent and will be done as early as possible in the process to ensure that the client application assessment process is not unduly protracted.
6. What documents are required to be presented during the interview?
Original passports, government issued identification documents, birth certificates and all other identification documents submitted with the application should be presented/made available during the interview.
7. If the interview is to be rescheduled, is there a penalty?
There is currently no penalty for rescheduling an interview, however, applicants are urged
to maintain their initially confirmed appointment to avoid scheduling conflicts,
disruptions, and/or undue delays with the processing of their application. Furthermore, if too many applicants miss their interviews, the CIU could implement a penalty.
8. What happens after the interview is completed?
Decisions on the application will be communicated in the usual manner in accordance with the CIU’s usual process.
9. Do the applicants get a copy/transcript of their interview?
Interviews will now form part of the due diligence process therefore reports and/or transcripts are not available for sharing.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.
