Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program was established in 2012, making it one of the more recent programs of its kind. The program allows applicants and their families to obtain citizenship of Antigua & Barbuda in exchange for an investment made into the country. It offers a highly useful second passport for you, your family and future generations.
About Antigua & Barbuda
With some 365 beaches of clean blue waters, the tropical islands of Antigua and Barbuda are an inviting paradise and considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. Subsequently, tourism is the key driver of GDP and generates around 60% of the island’s income, with key target markets being the U.S, Canada and Europe.
A strategic location, a highly educated workforce, a pleasant tropical climate, and untouched beaches are among the attributes that make Antigua and Barbuda an attractive investment opportunity.
Benefits of Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
Citizenship in a British Commonwealth country.
Inclusion of dependent children under 31 (and their spouse and children).
Inclusion of dependent parents or grandparents aged 55 and over.
Inclusion of unmarried siblings of the main applicant and/or their spouse of any age.
Application processing within 3 – 4 months.
Having a second citizenship may allow children to avoid military service in their home country.
Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 150 countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and Europe’s Schengen Area.
Antigua & Barbuda recognizes Dual Citizenship and does not require people to renounce their current citizenship.
No tax on worldwide income. No estate, death, inheritance or capital gains tax.
Off-shore bank accounts, investments, and companies give unique opportunities for business and tax planning.
Antigua is the travel hub of the region with direct flights to London, New York, Miami, Toronto and Montreal.
Home to the most technologically advanced hospital in the Caribbean and two American medical universities.
No management experience requirement, no education requirement, no interview, and no language requirement.
Qualifications for Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
To qualify under the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program, the following criteria must be met:
The principal applicant must be at least 18 years old.
Applicants must pass a Due Diligence examination and have no criminal record.
Applicants must complete a medical examination.
Applicants must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda in the 5 years following citizenship issuance.
Applicants must make a qualifying investment in Antigua & Barbuda as described below.
Investment Options
Applicants must make one of the following qualifying investments in Antigua and Barbuda:
A non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) or
- Family of 4 or less: USD $100,000 contribution + USD $30,000 government processing fee
- Family of 5 or more: USD $125,000 + USD $30,000 government processing fee
- Family of 6 or more: USD $150,000 donation to the University of the West Indies (inclusive of government processing fees)
- Each Additional Dependent: USD $15,000
USD $200,000 in a Government-approved real estate project + USD $30,000 government processing fee or
USD $1,500,000 in an eligible business (or minimum $5,000,000 split between multiple investors; minimum investment of $400,000 per person) + USD $30,000 government processing fee .
Procedures and time frame
The government authority responsible for administering the program, the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), is responsible for the processing of 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. The documentary requirements of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program are reasonable, and the procedures are straightforward. Once the application is approved, passports can then be issued. It is estimated that the process will take between three and four months from the submission of the application to issuance of the passport, assuming there are no areas of concern with the application.
From 1 July 2023, there will be a requirement to reside in Antigua and Barbuda for a minimum of five days during the first five years of obtaining citizenship. Under the real estate option, the time frame may vary depending on the project. Therefore, it is important to select a real estate project that can provide the necessary paperwork required from the developer for the citizenship application.
Need Help?
To discuss how to obtain citizenship by investment in Antigua & Barbuda.