Employer of Record in Antigua and Barbuda

Hiring independent contractors has boomed in popularity because of the cost savings and flexibility they offer. It can be a great option if you require niche skills or short-term project support. Contractors allow businesses to access specialized skills quickly, without the time and cost of setting up a local entity.

However, it’s important to know the limits of this model: contractors are not a substitute for full-time employees. Relying on them for ongoing, long-term roles can create serious compliance risks, including employee misclassification, which can lead to fines, back taxes, and reputational damage.

Playroll’s contractor management solutions make it simple to compliantly engage, onboard, and pay contractors around the world. We provide clear visibility into agreements, streamline payments, and reduce compliance risks – so you can focus on getting the work done. And when you’re ready to take the next step, we can help seamlessly convert contractors into full-time employees through our global Employer of Record service.

Businesses can only operate smoothly in Antigua and Barbuda if they comply with local labor laws including drafting compliant employment contract agreements and meeting taxation and payroll obligations. Learn more about the employment laws and regulations in Antigua and Barbuda below, to avoid any compliance issues.

Onboarding Process

We can help you get a new employee started in Antigua and Barbuda quickly, with a minimum onboarding time of just 1-2 working days. The timeline starts once the employee submits all required information onto the Playroll platform and completes any necessary local authority registrations. For non-nationals, the Right to Work assessment (if applicable) may add up to three extra days. Additional time may be needed for follow-ups on this assessment.

Growing your team in Antigua and Barbuda is exciting, but it’s not without challenges. Local labor laws are often nuanced, and hiring without the right legal structure or processes can lead to misclassification, non-compliance penalties, or disputes. An Employer of Record removes that risk by acting as the legal employer on your behalf, taking full responsibility for compliance, contracts, payroll, and employee benefits.

This gives you the freedom to scale at your own pace, whether you're adding one employee or building out an entire function, without the burden of setting up and managing a local entity. You remain in control of day-to-day responsibilities and performance, while the EOR ensures every hire is legally protected and properly supported. It's a strategic way to expand globally without spreading your internal team too thin or exposing your business to legal liabilities in unfamiliar markets.

In Antigua and Barbuda, employers must carefully manage multiple payroll obligations: social security (employee 3.5%, employer 5.5%), medical benefits (employee 2.5%, employer 3.5%), education levy (1% each), and PAYE withholding for non‑resident earnings. Contributions are calculated on gross pay up to EC$6,500/month and remitted monthly by the 14th, with annual reconciliation due early in the year.

Setting up payroll includes registering with authorities, choosing fitting payroll software, onboarding employees, and following a clear monthly process from data collection to payslip delivery. Using cloud payroll tools can centralize deductions, track deadlines, and keep you compliant in Antigua and Barbuda.

Employees expect to be paid accurately, on time, and in full compliance with local standards. When you're hiring in Antigua and Barbuda, providing a smooth payroll experience is critical to retention and trust. An Employer of Record ensures that employees receive what they’re owed, without errors, delays, or confusion about taxes or benefits.

Key Ways an EOR Supports Payroll in Antigua and Barbuda:

• Reliable Salary Payments: Ensures employees are paid promptly in local currency.
• Clear Payslips & Documentation: Provides employees with compliant, understandable records.
• Correct Benefits & Contributions: Delivers legally mandated contributions and any changes in compensation, like bonuses.
• Payroll Setup & Processing: Handles salary calculations, tax withholdings, and local reporting obligations.
• Boosts Employee Confidence: Builds trust with compliant, consistent payroll operations.

In Antigua and Barbuda, work permits and visas are required for employers hiring foreign workers. The process involves submitting applications, paying fees, and meeting specific eligibility criteria. The key visa types include the Temporary Work Visa, Permanent Work Visa, Investor Visa, and Digital Nomad Visa. Employers must ensure compliance with local labor regulations when sponsoring foreign employees, including proving that positions were advertised locally and that no suitable local candidates were available.

Mandatory Leave Entitlement in Antigua and Barbuda

The annual leave entitlement in Antigua and Barbuda varies based on length of service: employees with less than 1 year receive pro-rated leave, those with 1-5 years of service receive 14 calendar days, and those with over 5 years receive 21 calendar days. Antigua and Barbuda has 11 public holidays, with two days dedicated to Carnival celebrations. Premium pay of 150% applies if holidays are worked.

An Employer of Record (EOR) helps businesses manage annual leave, paid time off (PTO), and local holidays across the globe, including in Antigua and Barbuda. By partnering with an EOR, companies ensure full compliance with local labor laws in Antigua and Barbuda when it comes to annual leave and time-off management. EOR providers like Playroll offer platforms that simplify tracking and managing employee time off in Antigua and Barbuda. By outsourcing this responsibility to Playroll, you can streamline leave management, ensure compliance, and free up time to focus on other business priorities.

In Antigua and Barbuda, failing to provide the correct employee benefits can have serious consequences. Mistakes in benefits administration may result in fines and harm your reputation as an employer. An Employer of Record ensures statutory benefits and leave are handled correctly, every time, and provides comprehensive options for extra perks to reward your team.

Beyond just avoiding legal issues, a well-managed benefits program builds trust with your employees. An EOR ensures benefits are set up quickly during onboarding, updated when employee status changes, and fully compliant with national regulations. They also manage communication with employees, so there’s no confusion around what’s offered and how to access it. This combination of legal compliance and positive employee experience is hard to replicate without local infrastructure. With an EOR, you can offer peace of mind to your team (and to yourself) knowing that your benefits program in Antigua and Barbuda is running as it should.