Deadline for phasing out machine-readable passports is extended again – this time to end of 2022, Cabinet decides

The Cabinet, through the Passport Office, is again extending the deadline for the recall of machine-readable passports.

This is about the third extension, with the new cutoff date being December 2022.

Reportedly, this decision was taken because the pandemic continues to affect the ability of citizens – here and abroad – to meet the previous December 30, 2021, deadline.

The Passport Office is asking that residents show some understanding and cooperation, since this change is being done for their benefit.

It was in November 2020 that the deadline was extended to December this year.  Accordingly, the machine-readable document should have become invalid on January 1, 2022, and only ePassports would have been valid for travel after that date.  

The Antigua and Barbuda ePassport was introduced in April 2017.

Application forms for the ePassports are available at the Passport Office; the Antigua and Barbuda Missions in the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom; or from the government’s website.