{"id":273781,"date":"2026-04-22T08:35:52","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:35:52","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/?p=273781"},"modified":"2026-04-22T08:39:06","modified_gmt":"2026-04-22T12:39:06","slug":"pringle-says-extension-of-time-for-non-nationals-will-move-from-3-to-6-months-when-he-becomes-pm","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/antiguanewsroom.com\/pringle-says-extension-of-time-for-non-nationals-will-move-from-3-to-6-months-when-he-becomes-pm\/","title":{"rendered":"Pringle says extension of time for non-nationals will move from 3 to 6 months when he becomes PM"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Pringle Says UPP Will Extend Legal Stay for Non-Nationals to Six Months<\/strong><\/p>

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Jamale Pringle, political leader of the United Progressive Party, said a UPP government would extend the legal stay for Caribbean nationals from three months to six months, arguing the move would reduce costs and inconvenience for residents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cInstead of having to run to immigration every three months for an extension, we will extend the duration of your legal time to six months,\u201d Pringle told supporters at a rally, drawing applause from the crowd.<\/p>

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He added, \u201cNo longer our Caribbean brothers and sisters would have to run to the immigration department every three months,\u201d saying the policy would save both time and money.<\/p>

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Pringle framed the proposal as part of a broader effort to make government more responsive, saying, \u201cThis people first administration will save you more time and money\u2026 that is what a caring government do for people who call Antigua and Barbuda home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UPP leader also announced that work permits in the tourism sector would be made unrestricted, pushing back against what he described as misinformation about the party\u2019s stance on non-nationals. \u201cOur government will work for every single person living here in Antigua and Barbuda,\u201d he said.<\/p>

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Beyond immigration policy, Pringle outlined measures aimed at young people, including a land audit to determine the amount of remaining Crown land and a plan to sell residential plots at no more than $5 per square foot to citizens under 35.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe will be committed to sell that land in approximately 8,000 square feet plots\u2026 no cost greater than $5 a square foot, and it will be sold only to youth up to 35 years of age,\u201d he said, adding that the party aims to allocate at least 2,000 plots over five years.<\/p>

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He also promised to end the practice of requiring homeowners to pay for utility infrastructure in new developments. \u201cWe will also do for our young people\u2026 is to end the practice of having you pay for APUA electricity poles and water pipes when you move into a new neighborhood,\u201d Pringle said.<\/p>

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As an alternative to traditional housing, Pringle said the UPP would pursue public-private partnerships to develop affordable multi-level townhouse communities with shared amenities such as gyms and playgrounds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Throughout the speech, Pringle maintained that the party\u2019s message \u2014 \u201cgovernment must work for you\u201d \u2014 is gaining traction among undecided voters. He claimed that more people are shifting their support toward the UPP ahead of the April 30 general election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He urged supporters to mobilize and vote, saying, \u201cNothing will come to us. We have to go and fight for it,\u201d as he called for the removal of the current administration and a return to what he described as \u201cglory days\u201d under UPP governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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