Anguilla
Country Specific Information
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April 15, 2013

COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: Anguilla is a British overseas territory in the Eastern Caribbean, part of the British West Indies. It is a small but rapidly developing island with particularly well-developed tourist facilities.

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SMART TRAVELER ENROLLMENT PROGRAM(STEP) / EMBASSY LOCATION: If you are going to live in or visit Anguilla, please take the time to tell our Embassy about your trip. If you enroll in our Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP), we can keep you up to date with important safety and security announcements. It will also help your friends and family get in touch with you in an emergency. By Downloading our free Smart Traveler app, available through the iTunes store and the Google Play store, you will have our latest travel information at your fingertips.

Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.

U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown
Wildey Business park
Wildey
St. Michael, Barbados
Telephone: (246) 227-4399
Emergency after-hours telephone: (246) 227-4000
Facsimile: (246) 431-0179
Email: BridgetownACS@state.gov
Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, except Barbadian and U.S. holidays.

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ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS FOR U.S. CITIZENS: All U.S. citizens traveling outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to re-enter the United States. This requirement was extended to all sea travel (except closed-loop cruises), including ferry service on June 1, 2009. Travelers must now present a Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) compliant document, such as a passport or passport card, for entry into the United States. While passport cards and enhanced driver's licenses are sufficient for entry into the United States, they may not be accepted by the particular country you plan to visit; please be sure to check with your cruise line and countries of destination for any foreign entry requirements. 

NOTE: Be aware that Caribbean cruises that begin and end in the U.S. (closed loop cruises) do not require that you travel with a valid passport. However, should you need to disembark due to an emergency and you do not have a valid passport, you may encounter difficulties entering or remaining in a foreign country. You may also have difficulty attempting to re-enter the United States by air because many airlines will require a valid passport before allowing you to board the aircraft. As such, we strongly recommend that you always travel abroad with your valid passport. 

In addition to a valid passport or passport card, U.S. citizens need onward or return tickets, and proof of sufficient funds to cover their entire stay in Anguilla. A departure tax is charged at the airport or ferry dock when leaving. For further information, travelers may contact the British Embassy, 19 Observatory Circle NW, Washington, DC 20008; telephone (202) 588-7800; or the nearest consulate of the United Kingdom in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Denver, Houston, Miami, Orlando, Seattle or San Francisco. Visit the British Embassy web site for the most current visa information.

Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. You can also learn more general information on Customs by visiting the Before You Go section of our site.

For further information about customs regulations, please read our Customs Information page. You can also go to Anguilla's Customs Information page for specific information about Anguilla.

RESIDENCY REQUIREMENTS: For U.S. citizens considering residing in Anguilla, please refer to webpage on Anguilla’s residency requirements. 

HIV/AIDS RESTRICTIONS: The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Anguilla. There are no formal, documented HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to and foreign residents of Anguilla, but there have been anecdotal reports of exclusion. Please verify this information with the British Embassy before you travel.

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THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: Visit the U.S. Embassy site for up-to-date messages for U.S. citizens. 

Stay up to date by:

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CRIME: While Anguilla's crime rate is relatively low, both petty and violent crimes do occur. There has been an increase in youth gang activity, mostly limited to local village centers. There have been no known incidents involving tourists. Take common-sense precautions to ensure your personal security, such as avoiding carrying large amounts of cash or displaying expensive jewelry. You should not leave valuables unattended in hotel rooms or on the beach. Use hotel safety deposit facilities to safeguard all valuables and travel documents. Similarly, keep your lodgings locked at all times, whether you are present or away, and do not leave valuables in vehicles, even when locked.

Take some time before you travel to learn how to improve your personal security—things are not the same everywhere as they are in the United States. Here are some useful tips for personal security.

Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are the bootlegs illegal to bring back into the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

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VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • For violent crimes such as assault or rape, help you find appropriate medical care,
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate police authorities, and contact family members or friends.
  • Although the local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime, consular officers can help you understand the local criminal justice process and can direct you to local attorneys.

The local emergency telephone number in Anguilla is: 911.

Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While you are traveling in Anguilla, you are subject to its laws even if you are a U.S. citizen. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own. In some places you may be taken in for questioning if you don’t have your passport with you. In some places driving under the influence could land you immediately in jail. These criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States, and you can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime prosecutable in the United States. If you break local laws in Anguilla, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not where you are going. 

IF ARRESTED: If you are arrested in Anguilla, authorities of Anguilla are required to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. If you are concerned the Department of State may not be aware of your situation, you should request the police or prison officials to notify the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest. 

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SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: All Caribbean countries can be affected by hurricanes. The hurricane season normally runs from early June to the end of November, but there have been hurricanes in December in recent years. General information about natural disaster preparedness is available via the Internet from the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

There is no U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Anguilla. The U.S. Embassy in Bridgetown, Barbados is responsible for American Citizens Services on the island of Anguilla. U.S. citizens are encouraged to carry a copy of their citizenship documents with them at all times so, if questioned by local officials, proof of identity and U.S. citizenship are readily available.

Please see our Customs Information sheet.

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender travelers should review the LGBT Travel Information page.

Accessibility: While in Anguilla, individuals with disabilities may find accessibility and accommodation very different from what you find in the United States. Access to buildings, pedestrian paths and transportation is extremely difficult for people with disabilities. Sidewalks (if they exist) are very uneven and will only occasionally have ramps at intersections. Pedestrian crossings are also very infrequent. In general, restaurants, hotels and residential buildings have stairs at the entrance without wheelchair ramps (except perhaps major hotels and retail areas). Buses and taxis do not have special accommodations for disabled persons.

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MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: There is only one hospital, Princess Alexandra Hospital (telephone: 264-497-2551), and a handful of clinics on Anguilla, so medical facilities are limited. Serious problems requiring extensive care or major surgery will require evacuation to the United States, often at considerable expense. It is strongly recommended that you obtain international travel insurance before undertaking any overseas travel.

You can find good information on vaccinations and other health precautions, on the CDC website.  For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can’t assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It’s very important to find out BEFORE you leave whether or not your medical insurance will cover you overseas. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

  • Does my policy apply when I’m out of the United States?
  • Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or a medical evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors’ and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn’t go with you when you travel, it’s a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.

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TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in Anguilla, you may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below is provided for general reference only. 

Unlike the U.S., traffic in Anguilla moves on the left. The few roads on the island are generally poorly paved and narrow. Because of the narrow roads and lack of pullover shoulders, drivers should be alert to vehicles stopping suddenly on the roadway. While traffic generally moves at a slow pace, with the increasing number of young drivers in Anguilla, there are occasional severe accidents caused by excessive speed. Although emergency services, including tow truck service, are limited and inconsistent, local residents are often willing to provide roadside assistance. For police, fire, or ambulance service dial 911. 

Visit the Government of Anguilla web site for further road safety information.

For general information on road safety, please refer to our Road Safety page travel section.

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AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: Civil aviation operations in Anguilla fall under the jurisdiction of the United Kingdom. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the UK government’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of the United Kingdom’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.

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CHILDREN’S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.

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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Anguilla dated March 2, 2011 without substantive changes.

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