ANTIGUA & BARBUDA

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program was designed and implemented under a government mandate in 2012. The program is appealing to applicants seeking alternative citizenship through acquiring desirable properties or by contributing to the islands’ National Development Fund

Month Processing Time

USD Minimum Investment

Visa-Free Destinations

Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program offers an excellent solution for high-net-worth families seeking access to the European and Caribbean markets, as well as visa-free access to key Asian financial centers.

Benefits of the Antigua & Barbuda CIP Program

  • Relatively low investment compared to other Caribbean programs
  • Travel mobility with an Antigua and Barbuda passport: visa-free entry to 165 countries in the world, including Schengen area, Singapore,  Hong Kong and UK
  • Easy access: direct flights from New York, Miami, London, Frankfurt,
  • Dependent children up to 30 years old can be included
  • Children of dependent children can also be included
  • Dependent parents 55 years and older can be included
  • Unmarried siblings can be included
  • Future spouses of dependent children can be added
  • Future children of dependent children can be added
  • Stable and democratic government
  • Strong legal and regulatory framework
  • Dual citizenship is allowed
  • Simple application process with an approval within 3 months of the submission date
  • Quality real estate investment
  • Attractive tax regime for investors; no tax on local income, global income or capital gains
  • Access to the Antigua & Barbuda Special Economic Zone

Procedures and time frame of the Antigua  & Barbuda CIP Program

 

  • Fast and Simple processing procedure
  • Payment of legal fees, due diligence fees and 10% of government processing fees upon application
  • Upon receipt of a ‘Letter of Approval’ the balance of the fees shall become due
  • Complete the NDF, real-estate, business or educational investment
  • Once the certificate of registration is issued, applicant and adult dependents must visit Antigua & Barbuda during the 5-year period after  acquiring the nationality in order to be eligible to renew the passport

Investment Options 

 

  • NDF: Make a minimum contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) of USD230,000.
  • Real Estate: Make a joint investment of at least USD300,000 in one of the government-approved real estate projects – to be maintained for 5 years.  Or make a sole investment of USD400,000 in one of the government-  approved real estate projects.
  • Business: Make an investment of a minimum of USD1,500,000 as a sole investor or USD400,000 as part of a joint investment into an eligible  business
  • Education: Make an investment of an investment of US$260,000 into the University of the West Indies (Antigua campus). This option is for a family  of six (6) or more

Requirements of Antigua & Barbuda CIP Program

 

  • The applicant must be aged 18 years or older.
  • The applicant must not have a criminal record or subject to a criminal investigation
  • The applicant and family members must not be suffering from any contagious disease or serious health problems
  • The applicant and family members cannot have been denied a visa to a country with which Antigua and Barbuda has visa-free  travel, with no subsequent visa approva

Government Fees 

 

    • NDF, Real Estate & Business Options: USD10,000 for single applicant, USD$20,000 for the first 4 family members, plus USD10,000 per additional family member
    • UWI Option: Gov fee is included in investment amount for first 6 family members; USD10,000 for each additional family member

Visa Free Access to the Following Destinations  

Restricted Countries  

 

Citizens from the following countries have certain restrictions in applying for citizenship:

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

Applicants from any of the above countries must have lived outside of their country of birth for 10 years or more. They must also not have any financial ties to any of the countries listed above.

An Introduction to Antigua and Barbuda

 

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean. Antigua is 14 miles long and 11 miles wide and its flatland topography was well-suited to produce its early crops of tobacco, cotton, and ginger. The main industry, however, developed into sugar cane farming, which lasted for over 200 years. Today, following its independence from Britain in 1981, Antigua’s key industry is tourism and related service industries. The next largest job-creating sectors are the finance services industry and the government.

With some 365 beaches of clean, clear, turquoise waters, the lush tropical island of Antigua is an inviting paradise and considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. As a result, tourism is the key driver of GDP and generates around 60% of the island’s income, with key target markets being Canada, Europe, and the USA.

Antigua has experienced a challenging economic environment in recent years. However, the government has been credited with its implementation of the National Economic and Social Transformation Plan and a debt restructuring effort. One of the initiatives to support the island nation’s economy is the introduction of a citizenship by investment program, for which Henley & Partners has played a significant role in advising and assisting the government on the program’s design, implementation, and international placement.

Antigua’s commitment to serving its tourism industry and increasing its GDP is demonstrated with the airport expansion project, which is worth USD 45 million and includes three passenger jet bridges and more than two dozen check-in counters, creating an overall higher efficiency for passenger arrival. It will also allow an increase in scheduled, charter, and inter-island flights. In addition, direct flights to Antigua from London, New York, Miami, and Toronto are available regularly.

The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (ECD), which is pegged to the USD at a rate of 2.70. Antigua is a member of the British Commonwealth, CARICOM, the Organisation of American States, and the United Nations, among many other international organizations. Holders of the Antiguan passport enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel to 151 destinations, including the UK and the countries of Europe’s Schengen Area. Holders of this passport, like all Caribbean countries, require a visa to enter the USA as the nation is not a member of the USA Visa Waiver Program.