Antigua and Barbuda, a tiny Caribbean tourist hotspot, boasts a population of 91,000 and attracts roughly 241,000 visitors each year. Besides being a popular vacation destination, it also offers second passports to international investors. In this article, International Wealth provides insights into the investment costs for Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship, the documents required for registration, and the associated benefits. Dive in to discover all you need to know about turning this Caribbean gem into your second home!

Why purchase Antigua and Barbuda's CBI?

The Antigua and Barbuda CIP comes with a number of unique benefits for those considering investment or donation:

• Idyllic Vacations: Known as the Country of 365 Beaches, Antigua and Barbuda provides world-class coastal recreation. Snorkeling, diving, fishing, sailing, and swimming with stingrays are popular here. For tranquility, Barbuda offers serene natural escapes. The islands are perfect for memorable weddings or honeymoons, with hotels providing comprehensive event services.
• Advantageous Location: The nation's airport has transformed it into a key transport hub, linking the Caribbean with North America and Europe. The capital, St. John's, features a busy port and numerous duty-free shopping and dining options.
• Yachting Paradise: Jolly Harbour is a haven for yachts and boats, surrounded by golf courses and luxurious villas. The state hosts prestigious yacht regattas and is home to the historic Nelsons Dockyard, now a museum and yachting center.
• Fast Passport Acquisition: Since 2013, the Antiguan government's immigration law amendments have enabled a fast track to a second passport. Typically, you can get one within 4 to 6 months of document submission.
• Caribbean Residency Requirement: A five-day stay within five years of citizenship is seen not as a drawback but as an opportunity to enjoy Antiguan hospitality.
• Visa-Free Access: The Antiguan passport allows entry to over 165 countries with no prior visas, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Ireland, and most of South America.
• Dual Citizenship: Antigua and Barbuda's laws allow dual citizenship so that investors can retain their original passport while enjoying the benefits of dual identification.
• Tax Advantages: Since 2013, fiscal residents have been exempt from global income tax, provided they spend at least 183 days in the country within a tax year.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible for Antigua and Barbuda's dual citizenship through investment or donation, the primary applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a clean criminal record.
• Boast good health.
• Possess substantial personal capital.
• Be willing to pledge allegiance to Antigua and Barbuda, which can be done either within the country or at any Antiguan embassy, high commission, or consulate.

Investors may also include their family in the application:

• Their spouse.
• Children under 18.
• Children between 18 and 28, provided they are unmarried, without children of their own, enrolled in university, and financially dependent on the investor.
• Parents aged 58 and above.

The same criteria apply to all dependents included in the collective application for citizenship by investment or donation in Antigua and Barbuda.

To apply for the Antigua and Barbuda CIP, potential candidates must prepare specific documents in their home countries, while others are provided by Antiguan authorities, e.g., blank forms available on the program's official website.

Regrettably, the program restricts access to citizens from certain states. Currently, they include Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, and Sudan. However, their nationals can still apply if they have relocated to Canada, the UK, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, or the UAE and have maintained permanent residency in a non-restricted country for at least ten years without maintaining economic ties to their country of origin or any other restricted state.

From donations to real estate: choose your preferred CBI option

Antigua and Barbuda's CIP distinguishes itself from other Caribbean programs by providing a broader spectrum of investment options:

• contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF)
• donation to the University of the West Indies Fund (UWIF)
• purchase of property in a government-sanctioned real estate project
• investment in a government-endorsed business venture.

Now, let’s take a closer look at them:

• NDF Donation: Single applicants or families of up to 4 need to donate USD 100,000, with a USD 30,000 application fee. Families of 5+ donate USD 130,000 plus USD 15,000 per extra dependent.
• UWIF Grant: Exclusive to families of 6, requiring a USD 150,000 donation, plus USD 15,000 for each additional member. It includes one year of free university tuition for a family member.
• Real Estate: Investors can buy property from USD 200,000 in approved projects, with the option for joint investments starting at USD 400,000. After five years, the property can be sold to new program entrants.
• Business Investment: Invest USD 1.5 million individually or USD 400,000 per person in collective projects totaling USD 5 million in government-approved businesses.

Associated fees

Investors contemplating Antigua and Barbuda's CBI must consider the following charges:

• Government Processing Fees: A non-refundable 10% is due upon application submission. For a family of four, the fee is USD 30,000. For each additional dependent in larger families, it's USD 15,000. For the UWIF grant, the USD 15,000 fee applies per extra dependent beyond six family members.
• Due Diligence Fees: These are required for security checks and vary by family member:
  • USD 7,500 for the main investor and spouse
  • USD 2,000 for children aged 12-17
  • USD 4,000 for children aged 18-28 and parents over 58
  • No charge for children under 11.

Payment options are expanding to include cryptocurrencies and euros alongside traditional American dollars, and legislative updates are underway to make this possible.

Questions about your Antiguan passport? Get in touch with International Wealth!

Are you fascinated by the idea of getting an Antiguan passport to live and do business in this amazing island country but aren’t sure you can handle it on your own? International Wealth is here to help! Send us an email or a chat message. Alternatively, feel free to use a messenger app. We'll get back to you in no time!