With its advanced and booming economy, mesmerizing beaches, and excellent accommodations and amenities, many investors and international celebrities like Oprah Winfrey, Giorgio Armani, and Silvio Berlusconi have chosen Antigua and Barbuda as their second home. This charming nation has one of the world\’s most cost-effective, flexible, and attractive citizenship by investment program. It also recognizes dual citizenship, which is beneficial for business expansion, tax relief, and global mobility.
Antigua passport Ranking
The Antigua and Barbuda passport is considered one of the most desirable passports and is ranked 31st in the world. It gives its holder the highest degree of mobility between various destinations, with visa-free access or visa upon arrival to 150 destinations, including Europe’s Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and some Latin American countries.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship 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 and Barbuda passport and citizenship are granted to qualified applicants for life within a period of 4 to 5 months with no residency requirements. After becoming a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, the applicants must visit the country for 5 days at any time during the first 5 years of citizenship. 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 and Barbuda citizenship can be obtained in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy.
How to Get Antigua Citizenship by Investment
To qualify for obtaining Antigua and Barbuda 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. Applicants are required to make a $100,000 non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) in addition to paying $30,000 as a government processing fee 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 a minimum of $150,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund. This option is only applicable for families of six or more. It also entitles one family member to a one-year tuition scholarship to the West Indies University.
Economic Citizenship Antigua Application Process
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.
Benefits of Second Citizenship in Antigua
Although the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program is one of the newest in the Caribbean, it offers its holders a lot of advantages. Passport holders can leave their countries of residence at any time to travel 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. 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. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can also enter without a visa or visa on arrival to 150 destinations including Schengen countries, and stay in the region for up to 90 out of 180 days. 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.
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 Passport Price Increase
The cheapest option available to obtain Antigua’s passport is a contribution to the National Development Fund, for just $100,000. The applicant can include a family of up to 4 people. The government processing fee is a flat $30,000 for up to a family of 4. Contribution to the National Development Fund becomes $125,000 for a family of 5 or more, and the $30,000 government processing fee increases by increments of $15,000 for the 5th family member onwards. Due diligence fees of $7,500 can also be expected for both investor and spouse, and $2,000 for children aged 12-17 years old. Parents, siblings, and children aged 18 years or older will be required to pay a $4,000 due diligence fee.
A real estate investment must go towards a government-approved property that can be resold after 5 years. The fee is a flat $200,000 investment, with identical government fees and due diligence fees as the first investment option.
The third option to obtain Antigua’s citizenship is a $150,000 contribution to the West Indies University. This is considered the best for applicants with families of 6 people or larger. A family of 6 will be required to pay $150,000 to the university’s fund, with an additional $15,000 fee per person, starting with the 7th person onwards. The due diligence fees are the same as the due diligence fees expected in the first two options.
What is the Total Cost of Citizenship in Antigua for an Individual?
The total cost for obtaining Antigua’s citizenship by investment for a family of 4 through contribution to the NDF is $150,000. This includes a $100,000 contribution, $30,000 processing fees, and $19,000 due diligence fees for the main applicant, spouse, and two dependent children between 12 and 17 years. If the investor chooses the real estate investment option, the total cost will rise to $250,000 for a family of 4. This includes $200,000 in real estate property, $30,000 in processing fees, and $19,000 due diligence fees for the main applicant, spouse, and two dependent children between 12 and 17 years. If the applicant selects the university contribution option, the cost will be approximately at $177,00 for a family of 6. This includes $150,000 contribution to the university, and $27,000 due diligence fees ($7,500 main applicant, $7,500 for spouse, $2,000 for each dependent between 12 and 7 years, and $4,000 for each dependent above 18 years). Processing fees will be paid starting with the 7th person.
Common Questions about Antigua:
Investors looking to acquire Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment may have many questions related to the application process, benefits of the program, total cost, along with the documents and papers required. Below are some frequently asked questions that may help you before taking your investment decision.
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How strong is Antigua passport?
The Antigua & Barbuda Passport is considered a strong travel document and provides visa-free access to 150 countries. It is ranked 31st among global passports.
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Do you need a passport for Antigua?
Antigua and Barbuda’s passport has a lot to offer to investors, as the country boasts a safe environment and a booming economy. There is a major benefit for anyone who has an Antigua and Barbuda passport, even if an individual does not currently live in Antigua and Barbuda.
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How can I get Antigua citizenship?
To qualify for obtaining an Antigua and Barbuda passport by investment, applicants must submit an application through an authorized agent and undergo a strict due diligence process. Applicants must either contribute to the National Development Fund, purchase real estate in a government-approved project, or make a university contribution.
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How many countries can Antigua passport enter without visa?
Holders of Antigua and Barbuda passports can enter to 150 countries without a visa or having a visa upon arrival including Europe’s Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, Indonesia, and some Latin American countries.
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How do I become an Antigua citizen?
To become an Antigua and Barbuda citizen an applicant must submit an application through an authorized agent to the CIU, which is responsible for processing all applications. The CIU examines the application thoroughly and, if deemed necessary, may request the applicant to attend an interview. The CIU undertakes strict due diligence checks and will decline an application if the applicant makes a false statement or omits any relevant information in the application. It is estimated that the process will take between three and four months from the submission of the application to the issuance of the passport, assuming there are no areas of concern with the application.
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Can you buy citizenship in Antigua?
An applicant can buy Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship either by making a non-refundable contribution to the NDF or purchasing real estate in a government-approved project or contributing to a university.
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How long does it take to get citizenship in Antigua?
Antigua and Barbuda Passport by investment is granted to qualified applicants within 4 to 5 months with no residency requirements.