Antigua and Barbuda, a small island nation, ranks among the most favored tourist destinations in the Caribbean. Beyond its allure as a vacation hotspot, the country also comes with the trending option of acquiring second passports through foreign investment.
Unlock Caribbean bliss with Antigua’s passport
The local Economic Citizenship Program offers a range of one-of-a-kind benefits for those seeking citizenship through investment or donation:
- Idyllic Getaways: Antigua and Barbuda offer premier coastal activities like snorkeling, diving, and sailing. In Barbuda, you will find a peaceful retreat. The islands are ideal for weddings and honeymoons, with numerous hotels ready to cater to these events.
- Strategic Transport Hub: The nation’s airport is a vital connector between the Caribbean, North America, and Europe, especially since the new terminal’s 2014 opening. St. John’s port can host several cruise ships at once, flanked by duty-free shopping and dining options.
- Yachting Paradise: Jolly Harbour, a top marina for yachts, also boasts golf courses and luxury villas. Famous for lavish yacht regattas, it attracts elite vessels. Nelsons Dockyard, which is a historic naval port, now features a museum and is a popular yachting center.
- Swift Passport Acquisition: Since the 2013 legal amendments, Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship Program allows investors to get a second passport in 4 to 6 months post-document submission.
- Mandatory Caribbean Stay: While some may view the requirement of a five-day stay within five years of citizenship as a drawback, most investors consider it a substantial benefit after experiencing Antigua’s beaches.
- Visa-Free Access: The Antiguan and Barbudan passport enables visa-free or visa-on-arrival/e-visa travel to over 165 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Ireland, and most of South America.
- Dual Citizenship: The laws of Antigua and Barbuda allow for dual citizenship, meaning applicants may retain their original passport while enjoying the perks of dual-state identification.
- Tax Benefits for Residents: In 2013, tax reforms exempted fiscal residents from global income tax, applicable to citizens who reside in the country for at least 183 days in a tax year.
Qualifying for Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship
Applicants aspiring to the Antigua and Barbuda dual citizenship program via investment or grant need to meet several requirements. The primary applicant must be 18 years or older and possess a clean criminal record, ensuring they have not engaged in any illegal activities. Good health is a prerequisite, along with the demonstration of significant personal capital. Additionally, a commitment to the nation is mandatory, with applicants required to take an oath of allegiance. Understanding how to get dual citizenship involves meeting these stringent criteria and fulfilling the necessary legal and financial obligations. This can be done on Antiguan soil or at any of the nation’s diplomatic missions worldwide.
What about my dependents?
Investors applying for citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda through investment or donation have the right to include the following dependents in their application:
- Spouse: The investor’s legally married partner.
- Children Under 18: The investor’s offspring who are minors.
- Children Aged 18-28: Adult children who are currently enrolled in university, do not have their own families, and are financially dependent on the investor.
- Parents Over 58: The investor’s parents who are senior citizens.
The main applicant’s eligibility criteria also extend to these family members when included in the collective application for citizenship by investment or donation.
Blacklisted jurisdictions
The Antigua and Barbuda Economic Citizenship Program has restricted access for citizens from certain nations:
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Yemen
However, individuals born in these blacklisted countries may still be eligible to participate in the program if they have relocated to Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE. Besides, they must have maintained permanent residence in a non-blacklisted country for at least 10 years and severed economic ties with their country of origin.
Four routes to paradise
Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship program distinguishes itself from other Caribbean programs by providing a broader spectrum of financial pathways. As of 2024, four financial options are available for those seeking a second passport from Antigua:
- National Development Fund (NDF) Grant: A contribution to the NDF.
- University of West Indies Fund (UWIF) Grant: A donation to the UWIF.
- Real Estate: Purchase of property in a government-sanctioned project.
- Business Investment: Investment in a government-endorsed enterprise.
Each of these options offers a viable route to obtaining Antiguan citizenship through investment or donation.
- For the National Development Fund (NDF) donation option:
- A single applicant or a family of 2 to 4 members must contribute USD 100,000
- The application processing fee for this group is USD 30,000.
- For a family of 5 members, the required contribution is USD 130,000.
- For each additional dependent beyond the fifth, the state processing fee is USD 15,000.
- Under the University of West Indies Fund (UWIF) grant:
- This option is exclusively for families comprising 6 members.
- A mandatory contribution of USD 150,000 is required for the UWIF.
- For applications including more than 6 family members, an additional USD 15,000 is necessary per extra dependent.
- The UWIF grant also provides one family member of the main applicant with one-year free tuition.
- For real estate investment towards Antiguan citizenship:
- Eligibility requires purchasing property in a government-sanctioned development project.
- The minimum investment is USD 400,000, or USD 200,000 per person in the case of joint investments by two applicants, with the combined investment totaling at least USD 400,000.
- Applicants must cover processing and due diligence fees, which are consistent with the fees for other financial options.
- After a mandatory five-year holding period, the property or shares in development projects may be resold. The subsequent buyers are also eligible to apply for citizenship through the same investment program.
- For business investment in the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program:
- An individual can invest between USD 1,500,000 and USD 5,000,000 in a government-approved business project.
- A reduced investment of USD 400,000 is permissible if it forms part of a collective investment, with the total project value being at least USD 5,000,000.
At International Wealth, we will show you the path to CBI in Antigua and Barbuda. Our top consultants are ready to guide you every step of the way. Contact us for a free consultation and let’s make your journey as seamless and enjoyable as possible!
