A release from the Nevis Island Administration or NIA has announced that the Premier’s Ministry has extended the deadline for eligible non-nationals to regularize their immigration status through the Special Annual Residency Status programme, moving the cutoff date from May 2026 to October 30^th, 2026.

The extension applies to individuals who entered the Federation between January and November 2025, persons who were out of status before January 2025 and have not yet regularized their immigration status, and non-national students who have attended school in the Federation for three years or more.

The Special Annual Residency Status offers an expedited pathway to annual residency. Under the standard immigration process, non-nationals must first obtain three consecutive work permits before qualifying for annual residency. The special initiative waives that requirement, allowing eligible applicants to apply directly for annual residency.

Applications are subject to a fee of EC$2,700.

The Premier’s Ministry is encouraging all eligible individuals to take advantage of the one-time opportunity and complete the regularization process before the extended deadline of October 30^th, 2026.