Antigua and Barbuda launched citizenship by investment scheme in the Caribbean under the Citizenship by investment act of 2013
There are four types of investment which will qualify you for citizenship in the paradise islands of Antigua & Barbuda. As an applicant, you can choose between a contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF), to The University of the West Indies Fund, purchase property in a pre-approved real estate development, or invest in an approved business venture.
As a candidate, you must be over 18 years of age, hold no criminal record and have excellent health. Upon successful application, you and your family will obtain a lifetime citizenship and enjoy travelling visa-free to 165 jurisdictions.
CONTRIBUTION TO THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
The non-profit NDF was established to fund income-generating public sector projects, innovation in entrepreneurship and approved charitable investments. It is audited by an internationally recognised accounting firm and reports on its status are published each year.
If this is your investment of choice, you are invited to contribute USD 100,000 to the NDF, which is a one-time contribution for a family of four. Processing fees will be applied as indicated below.
For a single applicant, or a family of 4 or less:
• US$ 100,000 contribution / Processing fees: US$ 30,000.*
For a family of 5 or more:
• US$ 125,000 contribution / Processing fees: US$ 45,000, US$ 15,000 for each additional dependent over five people.
THE UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES (UWI) FUND
This investment option serves as a mechanism to finance the new University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus. This contribution will also entitle one member of the family to a one-year scholarship, tuition only, at the University of the West Indies.
For a family of 6:
- US$ 150,000 contribution
- Processing fees: US$ 15,000 from the seventh additional dependent onwards
INVESTMENT IN REAL ESTATE
You and your family can obtain citizenship by purchasing a property in Antigua & Barbuda. You may also benefit from rental revenue with this investment.
To qualify for citizenship under this option, you must invest in a designated, officially approved real estate development worth at least US$ 400,000, undertake a joint investment of US$ 200,000 between two (2) related parties/ applications, or minimum US$ 200,000 for a unit/share in an approved property.
You must own the property for a minimum of five years before selling it. At this time, owners may resell their units or shares to subsequent applicants as eligible investments. Processing fees will be applied as indicated below.
For a single applicant, or a family of 4 or less:
- Processing fees: US$ 30,000.*
For a family of 5 or more:
- Processing fees: US$ 45,000, US$ 15,000 for each additional dependent over five people.
* Processing fees for additional dependents: US$ 10,000 for children under 5 years, US$ 20,000 for children aged 6-17 years, US$ 50,000 for adults over 18 years. For a future spouse of the principal applicant, a fee of US$ 50,000 is payable upon application.
Please refer to schedule of fees in official website
Q&A
The following questions answered by Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment Unit in the Dec 2020 edition of the The Citizen Magazine.
Why does Antigua & Barbuda have a citizenship by investment programme?
The programme was introduced to promote economic growth, attract real estate development, increase foreign direct investment to the country, support the development of infrastructure and provide for a sustainable future.
How many visa-free countries can I travel to as a citizen of Antigua & Barbuda?
You can travel to 165 jurisdictions without requiring a visa, including the EU and Schengen countries, Hong Kong and Singapore. What is the processing time? Processing your application should take from 3 to 6 months.
Who can apply for citizenship?
To apply for the citizenship programme in Antigua & Barbuda, you must be at least 18 years of age, be of a good character with no criminal record, and have good health.
Do I need to speak English to apply for citizenship?
You don’t need to speak English to be an applicant.
Who can be included on the application?
Your dependent children under 28 and dependent parents over 58 can be included within the application.
How do you conduct the due diligence and vetting of applicants?
There are no interviews. However, all applicants undergo rigorous screening prior to consideration by the Citizenship by Investment Unit. Complete files will be forwarded to an international, unbiased third party due diligence service provider who will conduct detailed background checks on all applicants before the application is approved.
What happens once my application has been accepted?
A certificate of registration of citizenship will be issued and submitted to the passport office. Your authorised agent/representative will forward your passports and Citizenship Certificate to you.
. Do I need to travel to Antigua & Barbuda to complete the process?
The application process can be made from your country of residence. Once your application is successful and you have received your passport, you must travel to Antigua & Barbuda to take your oath or affirmation of allegiance. You are entitled to take up full-time residence in Antigua & Barbuda at any time you wish.
Does Antigua & Barbuda recognise dual citizenship?
There are no restrictions on dual citizenship in Antigua & Barbuda.
For how many years will my passport be valid for?
The passport will be valid for a period of 5 years and is renewable for a period of 10 years thereafter, provided that the requirements are met, which includes spending a minimum of five days in the country during this period after becoming a citizen.
Can I invest with my Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies?
This is in the pipeline but has not yet been established.
In addition to the citizenship by investment programme does Antigua & Barbuda have a tax residency programme?
Antigua & Barbuda does not currently offer a tax residency programme.
Source: CIP Unit of Antigua and Barbuda
