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Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

Overview

With over 365 beaches, Antigua & Barbuda offers a tropical paradise with clear turquoise waters and lush rainforests. This stunning two-island nation is located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea and boasts a vibrant, colorful, and friendly community. Antigua & Barbuda is not only known as a beautiful tourist destination but has also become well known for their offshore services including the introduction of their citizenship by investment program in 2013.

Advantages and investment options

Antigua & Barbuda is one of the more developed nations in the Caribbean offering advanced infrastructure. Applicants of the citizenship by investment program can benefit from this flourishing nation and obtain a passport that comes with many other benefits including:

  • Investment is only required after the application approval.
  • Dual citizenship.
  • Visa-free travel to over 150 countries including the EU & the UK.
  • Right to live, work and study in Antigua & Barbuda and any of the CARICOM member countries.
  • Confidential (Antigua & Barbuda does not notify your home country).
  • Passed to future generations.
  • Remote application.

Applicants proceeding with the citizenship by investment program must be at least 18 years of age and hold a clean criminal record. The Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship Unit conducts a thorough due diligence process to ensure only the highest moral standing applicants can proceed. Applicants are required to provide personal documentation such as passports, national IDs, birth and marriage certificates, and proof of funds. Along with the required documentation, applicants have the choice of proceeding with various investment options.

Investment option 1: Contribution

Applicants can proceed with a non-refundable contribution to the NDF (National Development Fund) starting at USD $230,000. In the application, dependents (spouse, children and parents over 55 years of age) can be included in the application without making an additional contribution, only by paying government and due diligence fees for each.

The NDF is a non-profit government fund that focuses on the improvement of the nation through approved charitable investments in public and private partnerships.

Investment option 2: Real Estate

Applicants can opt to proceed with a real estate investment in a government-approved real estate project. Applicants must acquire a property of at least USD $300,000 through a non-profit company where the investor is the single shareholder. Such entity must be registered and in good standing in Antigua and Barbuda, and must not be an offshore or exempt entity.

The investment must be maintained for 5 years after the purchase, unless official approval is acquired and obtained for a substitute property within the country. After this period of time, investors can choose to sell the investment without affecting their citizenship status.

Investment option 3: University of West Indies Fund (UWI)

The UWI Fund focuses on the advancement of education within Antigua & Barbuda. The financial contribution will include a tuition scholarship for one of the family members included in the application for their first year of studies. The non-refundable donation starts at USD$260.000 for a family of 6 (this option requires a minimum of 6 applicants).

Investment option 4: Business

Applicants have the choice of proceeding with an approved business investment in two ways:

  • An individual investment of at least US$1,500,000.
  • A joint investment of at least US$5,000,000 between a minimum of two persons, where each person must contribute at least US$400,000.

Processing timeframe and costs

The Citizenship Unit offers a simple and straightforward program, similar to other Caribbean citizenship programs. Once applicants have obtained all required documentation as well as chosen their investment route, they must submit their application through an authorized local agent (as required by law). The typical timeframe is 4-6 months and once the application is approved, applicants can proceed with their chosen investment and acquire their Antigua & Barbuda passport.

Additionally, applicants are required to pay associated fees such as:

  • Passport fee: USD$ 300 per applicant.
  • Due diligence fee:
    • Main applicant: USD$ 8,500.
    • Spouse: USD$ 5,000.
    • Dependents over 18 years of age: USD$ 4,000.
    • Dependents aged 12-17: USD$ 2,000.

Also, applicants are required to pay a processing fee*:

  • Individual applicant: USD$ 10,000.
  • Family up to 4 members: USD$ 20,000.
  • Each additional dependent: USD$ 10,000.

*The processing fee for the UWI fund is inclusive of the processing fee of up to 6 family members. Each additional family member will be required to pay USD$ 10,000 each.

Contact us

Alongside tourism, one of Antigua & Barbuda´s key driving economies is financial services. This Caribbean island offers a business-friendly environment with well-developed infrastructure in offshore services including international business entities as well as offshore banking. Antigua & Barbuda does not impose taxes on personal income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains.

Ready to obtain your Antigua & Barbuda passport? Email us at info@kraemerlaw.com