Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment in 2024 | Apply Now

Antigua & Barbuda is a beautiful island nestled away in the Caribbean. Like many other Caribbean nations, Antigua and Barbuda also has a citizenship-by-investment program, which may be a lucrative option for foreign investors. The program is one of the most cost-efficient programs in the Caribbean, providing abundant benefits, including visa-free travel to many countries, dual citizenship, and up to 4 investment paths to gain citizenship.

In this blog, we will explore the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program in depth and look at the benefits, requirements, various investment options, and the application process.

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What is the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program?

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program is one of the newer citizenship programs in the Caribbean, with the government introducing it in 2013. Subsequently, the program received legislative approval under the Citizenship by Investment Act, Act No. 2 of 2013, and was launched to increase foreign investment into the country, support the development of infrastructure, and facilitate economic growth in the country.

The program allows individuals to invest in the country's economy in exchange for citizenship. This direct investment can be made in an array of ways, which we will explore later on. Additionally, the program allows entire families to gain citizenship by adding on as dependents to the primary applicant's file. This means that spouses, dependant children, parents, and even siblings can gain passports from Antigua & Barbuda under a signed application, albeit at an added fee.

Benefits of the Program

International Travel: Antigua & Barbuda passport holders gain visa-free access or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 countries worldwide. This includes popular countries such as Hong Kong, the UK, Canada, and the Schengen European Zone.

Dual Citizenship: The program acknowledges dual citizenship, enabling individuals to maintain their existing nationality while also gaining the advantage of possessing an Antiguan and Barbudan passport.

Tax Rebates: Antigua & Barbuda has a very attractive tax regime, with no personal income tax, capital gains tax, estate taxes, or tax on worldwide income. This allows potential applicants to save hundreds of thousands of dollars, giving the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program an edge over other similar programs.

Minimum Residency Requirement: The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program has just a 5-day minimum residency requirement, allowing individuals to live in other countries and not lose their Antiguan & Barbudan citizenship. This implies that individuals must stay in Antigua & Barbuda for just—5 days before renewing their credentials every 5 years. The entire application process can also be completed remotely, eliminating the need to travel to the country.

Multiple Investment Options: The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program offers four investment options. These include donating to the NDF (National Development Fund), Real Estate Investment, and Business Investment or the University of West Indies Fund (UWI). All these options differ in cost and need, therefore allowing applicants to choose their preferred investment option, a choice that not many other countries afford to applicants.

Family-Friendly: The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program allows various family members to be added to the primary applicant's application. The minimum investment cost remains constant for a family of 4 but rises with each member added after that. Furthermore, the program allows parents and even siblings to be added as dependents and grants citizenship to all future generations.

Requirements of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program

The Citizenship by Investment initiative in Antigua and Barbuda outlines specific criteria for applicants to acquire citizenship. These requirements encompass both the main applicant and the eligibility of family members as dependents.

Main Applicant Eligibility

Age: The primary applicant must be at least 18 years old to apply for citizenship through investment in Antigua and Barbuda.

Clean Criminal Record: Stringent due diligence checks are conducted by the CIU to ensure the integrity of all applicants.

Make a Minimum Investment of $100,000: All single applicants must make a qualifying investment of at least $100,000 (plus additional government fees) to the National Development Fund. This value rises if alternate investment options are pursued or if additional dependent family members are included in the application.

Health Checks: All applicants must clear mandatory health checks before submitting their application and ensure they do not suffer from any contagious diseases.

Criteria for Including Dependent Family Members

Dependent Children: Unmarried children between the ages of 0 and 30 who rely financially on the main applicant.

Dependent Parents: Parents of the main applicant or their spouse, aged 55 and above, who reside with and are fully supported by the main applicant.

Dependent Siblings: Unmarried siblings of the main applicant or their spouse, aged 18 or older, without children, and financially dependent on the main applicant.

All dependents are subject to due diligence checks, and processing and due diligence fees are associated with their inclusion.

Restricted Countries

The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda has updated the Restricted Countries List, which now includes the following nations:

• Afghanistan
• Iran
• North Korea
• Somalia
• Yemen
• Sudan
• Russia
• Belarus

Individuals from these countries can still apply for citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda through the Citizenship by Investment Programme, provided they meet specific criteria:

• Those born in these restricted countries but migrated before reaching adulthood and/or have maintained permanent residency in Canada, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, or the United Arab Emirates for at least 10 years, without any financial ties to the restricted countries.
• Additionally, all applicants must fully adhere to the due diligence requirements of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program.

This decision by the Cabinet aims to preserve the integrity of the Antigua and Barbuda passport, ensuring that only individuals who pose no threat to the country's integrity are accepted.

Investment Options

The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program offers one of the best investment options for any Caribbean country. The Antiguan & Barbudan program provides up to 4 various investment routes, which the principal applicant can choose based on their budget, as well as the number of dependants in the application. The minimum investment begins from $100,000 and can go as high as $1.5 million.

National Development Fund

The first option is to make a $100,000 non-refundable contribution to the Antigua & Barbuda National Development Fund. This amount remains the same for up to a family of 4, and an additional processing fee of $30,000 is also applied. If there are more than 4 family members in the application, an additional fee of $15,000 per applicant is applied.

Real Estate Investment

The second option is to purchase real estate in any government-approved real estate project. The minimum purchase price must be at least $200,000, and the property can be resold after 5 years, and investors can earn rental income throughout the period.

Business Investment

Another option for potential investors is to make a significant business investment in the country. Applicants can choose from two business investment options- sole investment or joint investment. The business project must first be approved by the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) before application.

In the case of sole investment, a minimum of $1.5 million must be injected into the economy. Alternatively, 2 or more applicants can make a joint investment of at least $5 million, each contributing a minimum of $400,000.

University of West Indies Fund (UWI Fund)

Another option available is the University of the West Indies Fund, designated for educational purposes. A single applicant can contribute starting from $150,000, which also covers one year's tuition for a family member at the University of the West Indies.

Apart from the investment amount, additional charges are added for each applicant. This usually included government processing fees, passport fees, interview fees, diligence fees, and oath fees. Additionally, one must also take into account any agent fees that will be incurred, as all applications must go through licensed agents only.

Application Process and Timelines

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment application usually has a timeline of about 3-6 months and can be expected to follow the listed steps-

Choosing a Licensed Agent: The first step is selecting an authorized agent to assist you throughout the application process. Licensed agents are approved by the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). The agent also helps you choose the best investment route for your application.

Preparation of Documents: Next, it is crucial to gather all necessary documents, including personal identification, birth certificate, proof of funds, investment documents, and any other required paperwork. Your authorized agent can guide you on the specific documents needed.

Submission of Application: This involves completing the application form provided by your authorized agent and submitting it along with all supporting documents to the CIU.

Due Diligence Process: All applicants undergo a thorough due diligence process conducted by the CIU. This involves background checks to ensure applicants meet the eligibility requirements and have no criminal record. Furthermore, the source of funds is checked, and mandatory interviews with all adult applicants are conducted.

Approval: Once your application passes the due diligence process and your investment is verified, you will receive approval for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment. After approval, the principal applicant is authorized to make the investment.

Investment: Make the required investment as outlined in the citizenship by investment application. This could include a real estate investment, a contribution to the National Development Fund, an investment in an approved business, or a donation to the West Indies University fund.

Oath of Allegiance: After approval, you will need to take the Oath of Allegiance either in Antigua and Barbuda or at an embassy or consulate.

Issuance of Citizenship Certificate and Passport: Upon completion of the Oath of Allegiance, you will receive your citizenship certificate and passport, granting you the rights and privileges of a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.

It's important to note that the specific requirements and procedures may vary slightly, and it's advisable to work closely with your licensed agent to ensure a smooth application process. The entire process from application to approval is expected to take around 3-6 months if all documentation is complete.

ALSO READ: The Ultimate Guide to Caribbean Citizenship by Investment in 2024

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program is one of the best-valued citizenship programs in the Caribbean. The program offers a wide variety of investment routes for potential investors and presents a streamlined application process, making it an attractive proposition for those interested in Golden Visa programs globally. The Caribbean nation provides prospective citizens with a whole array of benefits, including strong global mobility, dual citizenship, and quick processing times, further bolstering its position among similar programs.

Overall, the program provides value to both investors and the nation of Antigua and Barbuda by delivering a strong passport to those willing to invest and a strong economic injection of funds into the country's economy, respectively.

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