Finding work: tourism first, with construction close behind

By Equipo Saplic Published on 12/08/2026 Updated on 12/08/2026

And a small market where the union presence matters.

In this guide
  1. Tourism and hospitality
  2. St John's
  3. Construction
  4. Financial and professional services
  5. Marine and yachting
  6. The public sector
  7. What actually works
  8. A small market
  9. The one-year mark
  10. For expatriates
  11. Watch for scams

Antigua and Barbuda offers more than beaches, but tourism shapes the labour market more than anything else.

Tourism and hospitality

The dominant sector. Resorts, hotels, restaurants, yachting and the visitor economy, concentrated around the coasts and English Harbour.

Strongly seasonal, with peak demand in the winter months. Guest-facing experience, service standards and shift flexibility matter, and language skills open doors with European visitors.

St John's

The capital and commercial centre. Government, banking, retail, port and cruise operations, and professional services.

Construction

Linked to resort development, residential building and infrastructure. Skilled trades are in demand.

Financial and professional services

International business and related professional services, recruiting on formal qualifications.

Marine and yachting

English Harbour and Falmouth support a significant yachting sector — crewing, marine trades, provisioning and services, with pronounced seasonality.

The public sector

A significant employer, with the Labour Code specifying a shorter 36-hour week for civil servants.

What actually works

  • A complete profile. Recruiters filter on experience and skills.
  • Ask whether a collective agreement applies. The Workers’ Union has secured terms above the statutory minimum in several workplaces.
  • Confirm social security registration before accepting.
  • Ask what the basic pay is, since severance is calculated on it.

A small market

Antigua and Barbuda has a small labour market where reputations circulate. How you leave a role matters more than in larger economies.

The one-year mark

Severance requires one year of continuous service, and accrues by the month thereafter. Worth factoring into any decision to move.

For expatriates

The standout advantages are no personal income tax and a straightforward social security system. The complications are work permit requirements and building pension entitlements from scratch mid-career.

Watch for scams

No legitimate employer charges you to apply, to interview, or for training before hiring you.

Frequently asked questions

What is the dominant sector?
Tourism and hospitality — resorts, hotels, restaurants and yachting — concentrated around the coasts and English Harbour, and strongly seasonal.
What other sectors hire?
Construction linked to resort and infrastructure development, financial and professional services, the marine and yachting sector, and the public sector.
What should I ask before accepting a role?
Whether a collective agreement applies, since the Workers’ Union has secured terms above the statutory minimum in several workplaces, and whether social security registration is confirmed.
What are the advantages for expatriates?
No personal income tax and a straightforward social security system. The complications are work permit requirements and building pension entitlements mid-career.
When does severance start accruing?
After one year of continuous service, accruing by the month thereafter at one day’s basic pay per month.

Sources

Put this into practice

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