JOHN’S, Antigua, CMC – Citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), will no longer need visas to visit Antigua and Barbuda.
Prime Minister Gaston Browne made the announcement earlier this week as he engaged in bilateral talks with a delegation from the UAE led by that country’s Minister of State Reem Al Hashimy.
“We have taken an executive decision to abolish the requirement for visas for citizens and residents of the UAE to travel to Antigua & Barbuda, and that will be effected in the next 30 days,” said the Prime Minister who added that he would discuss reciprocity in the open border agreement with the UAE.
Browne who also gave the UAE the opportunity to establish an embassy on lands that would be provided free of cost, said Dubai, the UAE’s largest city, was an inspiration to Antigua and Barbuda.
“We had actually set a vision, even in opposition, for Antigua & Barbuda to become the ‘Dubai of the Caribbean’,” Browne said.
“We’re very impressed with the fact that Dubai does not have mineral resources, petroleum, gold, bauxite. But notwithstanding, individuals in that country, residents and citizens, enjoy living standards that are second to none. And we believe if they can do it, we can do it.”
