CABINET NOTES- The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has approved a major upgrade to the Department of Immigration’s Border Management System (BMS) and e-Visa platform, marking a significant step forward in strengthening border security, improving efficiency at ports of entry, and enhancing the overall travel experience.
The upgrade will modernise systems that have been in operation for more than a decade and have reached the end of their functional lifespan. The new platform will introduce advanced technology designed to support the country’s growing travel and tourism sector while ensuring alignment with evolving international security and aviation standards.
Key features of the upgraded system include enhanced passenger screening capabilities, automated processing of passenger information, and seamless integration across air and sea ports. The upgrade will also expand coverage to include Barbuda and introduce electronic gates (e-Gates) to facilitate faster and more efficient passenger movement.
The new system will strengthen security through improved biometric and watchlist functionality, expanded fingerprint databases, and upgraded reporting tools. It will also integrate with international law enforcement and aviation platforms, supporting compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) standards and future developments such as next-generation e-Passports.
In addition, the project includes a comprehensive upgrade of hardware and software, migration of existing data to the new platform, and the expansion of infrastructure across multiple ports of entry. Ongoing maintenance, technical support, and the involvement of local service providers will ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience of the system.
The Cabinet believes that failure to modernise the existing infrastructure would risk operational delays at ports of entry, increased security vulnerabilities, and potential negative impacts on tourism and border control operations. The upgrade is therefore considered both timely and essential.
The Ministry of Information, Communication Technologies, Utilities and Energy emphasized that the modernised system will significantly enhance national security, improve service delivery, and position Antigua and Barbuda to meet future border management and travel facilitation demands.