A guide to citizenship by Investment in Antigua & Barbuda
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 130 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: Donation
Applicants can proceed with a non-refundable donation to the NDF (National Development Fund) starting at USD$ 100,000. The amount will increase according to the number of dependents included within the same application. The NEF is a 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 in the tourism sector. Applicants must invest a minimum of USD$ 200,000 in a joint investment (with another investor proceeding with citizenship) of USD$ 400,000 if proceeding as a single investor. The investment must be maintained for 5 years. After a set 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 scholarship for one of the family members included in the application for their first year of studies. The non-refundable donation starts at USD$ 150,000 for a family of 6 (this option requires a minimum of 6 applicants).
Investment option 4: Enterprise
Applicants have the choice of proceeding with an approved enterprise investment instead. Applicants must invest either USD$ 1.5 million in a sole investment or USD$ 400,000 in a joint venture (with a total investment of USD$ 5 million).
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$ 7,500
- 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*:
- Family up to 4 members: USD$ 30,000
- Each additional dependent: USD$ 15,000
*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$ 15,000 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