Check the official site before you travel. imptmanhattan.com is a hotel and travel site; it does not issue visas or ESTAs and this is not legal advice. Rules change: confirm on esta.cbp.dhs.gov and travel.state.gov.
| Status | Visitor visas suspended |
|---|---|
| Visa or authorization | Partial suspension: B-1/B-2 visitor visas included |
| Where to apply | Check the State Department notice first |
| Fees and processing | Set by the US government: check the official site |
| Arrival | Inspection by US Customs and Border Protection at the airport |
Antiguan and Barbudan citizens cannot use an ESTA and need a US visitor visa for a trip to Manhattan. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new B-1/B-2 visas to Antiguan and Barbudan nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), with limited exceptions such as certain dual nationals traveling on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation remain valid. Check the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov before paying for anything.
What the Suspension Means
Antiguan and Barbudan citizens do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program and cannot apply for an ESTA. A visitor visa, usually B-1 for business or B-2 for tourism, is the normal route for a Manhattan trip. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, in force since January 1, 2026, the issuance of new visitor visas to Antiguan and Barbudan nationals is suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas).
The suspension is partial, not complete. Limited exceptions exist, for example certain dual nationals who travel on another country's passport. Visas issued before the proclamation took effect were not revoked, so an existing valid visa can still be used at the border. Anyone unsure where they stand should read the State Department's announcement on travel.state.gov and confirm with a US embassy or consulate.
Before You Fly and Arrival
Apply for the correct visa category through the US embassy or consulate that covers Antigua and Barbuda, and allow time for interview scheduling. Do not book flights or a Manhattan hotel until the visa situation is settled, because the suspension can affect both the application and the timing. Follow the instructions on travel.state.gov for the current procedure and any exceptions that may apply.
International arrivals reach the New York area at John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty or LaGuardia, and every traveler passes through US Customs and Border Protection. Expect questions about the purpose of the trip, where you will stay and when you plan to leave. Carry printed copies of your hotel booking and return ticket, since officers may ask to see them.
Staying in Manhattan
Choose accommodation before the trip and keep a written confirmation showing the address and the dates of the stay. Manhattan hotels fill quickly in spring, summer and around the holidays, so an early refundable booking is easier to change or cancel. A refundable rate is sensible while the visa status is unclear, because plans may need to move. Tell the hotel your arrival time.
From John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia, trains, buses and taxis connect to Manhattan. Ride apps and taxis cost more but are simple with luggage. Subway and commuter rail services are cheaper and run frequently, though service changes happen at weekends. A return ticket and a clear departure date strengthen your case at the border.
Work, Study and Longer Stays
Tourism and short business trips are not the only reasons people travel. Study, temporary work, transfer within a company, treaty trader status and family visits each have their own visa category, and each has its own requirements. An application for a visitor visa is not a substitute for those categories, and entering on a visitor visa does not permit employment in the United States.
Students and workers should start with the school or employer, which usually issues the paperwork the visa requires. Rules for every category, including any effect of the proclamation, are published on travel.state.gov, and the embassy or consulate in the region handles appointments. Conditions change, so verify the position before committing to a course, a job or a lease in Manhattan.
Step by step
- Read the State Department announcement on travel.state.gov about Presidential Proclamation 10998 and how it applies to Antiguan and Barbudan nationals.
- Check whether an exception fits your case, such as dual nationality with travel on another country's passport or a visa issued before the proclamation.
- Contact the US embassy or consulate serving Antigua and Barbuda to ask about your category and the current procedure.
- Complete the visa application and gather the supporting documents before booking any travel to an interview.
- Wait for a clear answer on the visa before paying for flights, hotels or events in Manhattan.
- Keep copies of the visa, hotel confirmation and return plans for inspection by Customs and Border Protection.
Documents to carry
- Passport valid for the trip, plus any previous passport holding a US visa
- Printed hotel confirmation showing the Manhattan address and stay dates
- Return or onward ticket with a clear departure date
- Visa application receipts and appointment confirmation from the embassy or consulate
- Evidence of ties at home, such as an employer letter or a study enrollment
Antiguan and Barbudan citizens: questions
Do Antiguan and Barbudan citizens need a visa to visit Manhattan?
Yes. Antigua and Barbuda is not part of the Visa Waiver Program, so an ESTA is not available. A US visitor visa, B-2 for tourism or B-1 for business, is required. Under Presidential Proclamation 10998, new visitor visas for Antiguan and Barbudan nationals are suspended (the partial suspension covers B-1/B-2 visitor visas), with limited exceptions. Check travel.state.gov for the current position.
Can Antiguan and Barbudan citizens use an ESTA for a trip to the US?
No. The ESTA system serves travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries only, and Antigua and Barbuda is not one of them. Antiguan and Barbudan citizens should apply for a visa instead. Travelers who are not eligible cannot obtain authorization through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, so a visa application is the route to follow.
Are US visas issued before the proclamation still valid for Antiguan and Barbudan citizens?
Visas issued before Presidential Proclamation 10998 took effect were not revoked. If you already hold a valid visitor visa in your passport, it can still be presented on arrival at a New York airport. Confirm the details with the embassy or consulate, and check travel.state.gov before traveling, since conditions can change.
Can Antiguan and Barbudan citizens work in Manhattan on a visitor visa?
No. A B-1 or B-2 visa covers business meetings, conferences and tourism, not employment in the United States. Work, study and long stays need a different category, arranged with the employer or school and the embassy or consulate. Rules and any effect of the proclamation are published on travel.state.gov.
Where will you stay in Manhattan?
Midtown for a first visit, SoHo or the West Village for character, the Upper West Side for the park. Live prices for your dates open in the IMPT app.
Photo credits: Pexels.