Antigua and Barbuda, the stunning Caribbean Island with its mesmerizing beaches, excellent accommodations and amenities, and posh climate, provides foreign investors and their families a lifetime citizenship and passport by donating to a charity or purchasing real estate, within 4 to 5 months. Antigua’s citizenship by investment program is considered one of the most cost-effective, flexible, and attractive programs in the world, as it offers investors myriad benefits such as visa-free travel to 150 destinations, including Europe’s Schengen area, United Kingdom and Singapore, tax exemptions, and high quality of life.
Antigua passport by investment
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program have seen light in 2013, offering foreign investors, who qualify under the criteria set by parliament decisions, quick and straightforward routes to acquiring second citizenship. Antigua’s citizenship is granted to qualified applicants for life within a period of 4 to 5 months with no residency requirements. After becoming a citizen, applicants must visit the country for 5 days at any time during the first 5 years of citizenship. Spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and unmarried siblings can be included in the application. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship can be obtained in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy.
Antigua Citizenship program qualifications
To qualify for obtaining an Antigua passport by investment, applicants above 18 must submit an application and undergo a strict due diligence process. The government authority administers the program, and the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), is responsible for examining the application thoroughly and, if deemed necessary, may request the applicant to attend an interview.
Antigua citizenship by investment minimum amount
Applicants are required to make a $100,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) or purchase a minimum of $200,000 real estate in a government-approved project, along with paying the applicable government fees. In May 2020, Antigua and Barbuda government introduced a new option for large families to gain citizenship by contributing $150,000 to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund. This option is suitable for families of six or more. It also entitles one family member to a one-year tuition scholarship to the West Indies University.
Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda CBI
Investing in Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program offers investors a lot of advantages. It is considered one of the cheapest family-oriented programs in the Caribbean providing lifetime citizenship with one-time investment and without residency requirements, personal interviews, business experience, or language tests. Passport holders can leave their countries of residence at any time without a visa and at short notice. This might be helpful in case of an unforeseen political or economic crisis, pandemic, or threat to the family’s safety and well-being.
Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can enter without a visa or visa upon arrival to 150 destinations including Schengen countries and stay in the region for up to 90 out of 180 days. Citizens can get a 10-year B-1/B-2 tourist visa to the USA and spend up to 180 days a year in it, attend conferences, hold business meetings, and receive medical treatment at US clinics. The investors can also stay in the UK for up to 180 days a year. Antigua and Barbuda have an attractive tax regime with no tax on income, wealth, or inheritance, and on worldwide income. It is also a tax-free country for citizens who live abroad. Passport holders are able to open bank accounts in reliable banking institutions and can benefit from duty-free trading in the Caribbean.
Antigua and Barbuda program is considered one of the most cost-effective programs, as a family of four can obtain second citizenship with just $150,000. The decision for the application is made in just 4 to 5 months. Antigua now upgraded all passports to biometric, however, bitcoin or cryptocurrency is not yet accepted for CIP.
Antigua passport holder can avail the of high-quality health services, which is based on British standards, and find several private clinics in the country. They can also take advantage of the world-class education services. School education is free and compulsory for children from 5 to 16. The teaching process is carried out in English, which gives kids the opportunity to continue further education in the United Kingdom or any other English-speaking
Antigua Citizenship investment options
Under Antigua’s Citizenship program, there are various investment options. The first one available is a $100,000 donation to the National Development Fund (NDF) in addition to $30,000 processing fees for a family of up to 4 persons with incremental payments of $15,000 for each additional dependent, and $7,500 due diligence fees for the single applicant, as well as $7,500 for a spouse, $2,000 per dependent 12-7, and $4,000 for dependents aged 18 years and over.
The second option is contributing to the University of West Indies Fund (UWI), which was introduced by the government with the aim of bringing economic benefit to the new Five Islands Campus of UWI and inspiring many youths to pursue tertiary education in the region. Foreign investors can qualify for Antigua citizenship by making a $150,000 one-time contribution to the UWI fund for a family of six and more (minimum number of persons per application is 6 including processing fee, and $15,000 for any additional dependents). One member of the family will be entitled to a scholarship for 1 year (tuition only) at the UWI campus. Additional $7,500 due diligence fees are required for the main applicant, $7,500 for the spouse, $4,000 for dependents above 18, and $2,000 for dependent children between 12–17.
The third option is purchasing an approved real estate in Antigua and Barbuda with a value of a minimum of $200,000. Investors must hold the real estate for a period of 5 years. Additional $30,000 governmental fees are required.
Antigua citizenship program eligibility criteria
Only adult investors with a clean criminal record, good health, and no outstanding visa refusals can participate in the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program. The key to fast processing is to prepare a fully comprehensive application and ensure it is 100% complete for the government. Applications are only possible through an authorized agent, and any untruthful answers in the application are the basis for rejection. A past conviction of a crime with more than a six-month jail term in Antigua is also a basis for rejection. When Antigua’s CIU receives the documents, a time window of 3 months will start. During that time, the application will be reviewed, the criminal history and background checks will be conducted, and a decision will be made. Upon approval, the applicant will be required to submit proof of investment in order to receive an Antigua and Barbuda passport. There is a 30-day frame in which the investment must be finalized within. Spouse, children up to 30 years old, parents and grandparents above 55 years old, and unmarried siblings regardless of age can be included in the application.
Antigua citizenship program requirements
Applying for citizenship by investment program in Antigua and Barbuda can only be done through a government-approved agent. To start the process applicants must sign a service agreement with an authorized agent. The latter will provide advice, and assistance, and prepare documents and government forms. The applicant’s file will be complete at this stage, and due diligence fees and government application fees will be due. If the applicant chooses the real estate option, a down payment to reserve the property will be required. The authorized agent will submit a complete application to the government of Antigua and Barbuda on behalf of the applicant, and after the government assesses the applicant’s file and due diligence is completed, an “Approval in Principle” will be issued. The applicant is required to make the applicable investment for the selected option, and the government issues the naturalization certificate. After this stage, Antigua and Barbuda passport applications are submitted, and the passport is issued within one week and delivered along with the naturalization certificate to the applicant. The balance of fees will be due.
The time frame of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program
Applications for Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment program normally take around 4 to 5 months to be processed from the date the applicant’s file is submitted to Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), assuming there are no areas of concern with the application. Most applicants take an average of 2-6 weeks prior to this to gather all their documentation.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program Vs. St. Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, and Dominica
The citizenship schemes in the Caribbean countries are all reliable, fast, and affordable, and share many similarities, such as powerful passports providing visa-free access to more than 140 destinations including the UK, and Schengen area, among others. Most of them provide tax-friendly policies, flexible requirements, and attractive business opportunities.
However, picking the best citizenship program depends on the investor’s personal conditions and priorities.
When comparing Antigua’s citizenship program with St. Kitts and Nevis program, investors would find that Antigua’s program is a more affordable investment scheme, with the minimum donation for a family of four at $100,000, and a family of five at $125,000, compared to St. Kitts and Nevis minimum amount $125,000 for a single person, and $170,000 for a family of four (special offer from 1 Jan to 30 June 2023). Antigua program has more diversified investment options, as applicants that have a family of 6 members or more can donate $150,000 or more to the UWI Fund and entitle one person to a one-year scholarship. The citizenship process usually takes a few months to be concluded, so Investors looking for a fast citizenship path can benefit from St. Kitt’s “fast-track” option program as it provides an Accelerated Application Process, with approval in less than 60 days.
When comparing Antigua’s program with Dominica’s citizenship by investment program the differences narrow, as the single applicant’s non-refundable contribution is the same at $100,000, but Antigua’s program remains much more affordable for a family of four, as the contribution fees in Dominica’s program rise to $175,000. Also, Antigua is more inclusive regarding dependents: parents and grandparents above 55 years old and unmarried siblings regardless of age can be included. On the other hand, Dominica announced in September 2022 that it will no longer accept the inclusion of siblings in applications, and parents and grandparents must be over 65.
Antigua’s program varies with Grenada’s citizenship program on few crucial points. For instance, Grenada is the sole Caribbean country that holds the desired E-2 visa treaty with the US, allowing citizens to apply for a non-immigrant visa and reside there if they meet certain investment and domicile criteria. However, Antigua’s program is more affordable than Grenada with a minimum donation of $100,000 for a family of four, compared to Grenada’s minimum amounts of $150,000 for a single applicant and $200,000 for a family of four.
Success stories
With its advanced and booming economy, stunning beaches, and excellent accommodations, many investors, world leaders, and international celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Giorgio Armani, and Silvio Berlusconi have chosen Antigua and Barbuda as their second home and luxury retreat. The island can be considered as an alternative country of residence, as people can find anything they need for a comfortable life.
“Second citizenship has opened the door for myriad business opportunities and supported the growth of my business on a global scale, thanks to the excellent air links to Europe and North America.” Mohamed S. Syrian.
“Obtaining a second citizenship helped my children attend European universities and gave me the opportunity to visit them anytime as no borders exist.” Mahmuod H. (Jordanian)
“Without any need to renounce my current citizenship, my second citizenship gave me the ability to open bank accounts in reliable banking institutions worldwide, therefore solve the issue of currency control, and benefit from tax exemptions on capital gains, wealth and inheritance.” Fayad A. (Lebanese)
“Owning a real estate in the Caribbean paved the way for obtaining citizenship and making remarkable profits from renting out the property.” Sunday E. (Nigerian)
Antigua and Barbuda: A feasible second passport option
In conclusion, Antigua and Barbuda offers a solid, reliable, and affordable citizenship program and a legitimate and straightforward route to obtain valuable second citizenship that can broaden horizons. The Antiguan passport can safeguard investors’ assets, optimize, and reduce one’s tax burden. It also guarantees freedom of movement around the world, creates an opportunity to get a 10-year US visa, and grants visa-free entry to the UK. Investing in an Antigua passport by investment is beneficial from every perspective.