Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

About Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program

Antigua and Barbuda is a small English-speaking British Commonwealth nation made up of two islands in the Eastern Caribbean sea, a region traditionally known as the West Indies. Antigua and Barbuda and the West Indies are well known in the yachting and cricket communities, boasting a highly developed tourism infrastructure, 365 beaches (one for every day of the year) and - most importantly - a friendly and welcoming environment for newcomers and future citizens.

Antigua is also a declared crypto friendly nation in addition to its offshore banking and finance sectors, besides being famous for production of excellent local Caribbean rum!

Geographically Antigua and Barbuda is situated in the eastern arc of the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, separating the high seas of the Atlantic Ocean from the calmer Caribbean Sea. But for those who are not seafarers, don’t worry as Antigua’s airport (IATA code: ANU) boasts direct flight connections from North America, Europe and Africa, besides being a long-established regional air hub for inter-island flights.

Also worth pointing out: Antigua is home to one of the campuses of the prestigious University of West Indies. Certain citizenship by investment applicants can qualify for reduced or even free tuition fees at this University that is the top ranked in the region - ask us for details of the University of the West Indies (UWI) Citizenship-by-Investment offering.

The beautiful blue passport carried by Antiguan citizens opens up a world of visa-free access, business, cultural and leisure opportunities for its proud bearers. Would you like to find out how to obtain an Antigua passport and citizenship for you and your family and what is the “cost” of an Antigua passport and Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment? Please read on for more details.

Why is the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Program so successful?

All the factors mentioned above that make Antigua an attractive tourism and business destination combine to make the Antigua CBI (Citizenship by Investment) program one of the most successful Caribbean citizenship by investment programs since its inception in 2013. This is judged in terms of numbers of CBI applications approved and passports issued, as well as revenue for the government that has contributed directly to improving the lives of the islands’ residents.

Although Antigua’s is one of the Caribbean region’s newer Citizenship-by-Investment programs, it has distinguished itself with special and unique features such as being the first crypto-friendly Caribbean economic citizenship program, operating an advanced and well-developed real estate investment program, and the funding of the University of West Indies.

New citizens benefit from a tax-friendly regime, access to a number of international banks on Antigua, and most importantly the Antigua and Barbuda passport with visa free travel to the UK, the European Union and many other countries. (Visa-free access with Antigua passports can change - please verify current information by contacting us.) Moreover, Antigua has no age limit for unmarried siblings as eligible dependants.

Antigua and Barbuda: Paradise on Earth

The Antiguan coastline is peppered with numerous coves and bays, many with beautiful white sand beaches. Barbuda, a low-lying coral island located 32 miles north of Antigua is sparsely populated and encompasses an expansive lagoon, which is bound by a long undeveloped beach. 

Antigua and Barbuda has been a tourism hub in the Caribbean since the 1970’s. This West Indies tourist hub boasts some of the world’s best beaches: 365 of them to be precise. Locals are proud to say that tourists can visit a different beach every day of the year.

The new and upgraded airport terminal opened at St John’s in 2015 accommodates many daily flights from Europe and the Americas, while fostering tourism as the main driver of economic growth. In that context, the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) (approved in 2013) further enhances the quality of life for all the residents (local or foreign). The appeal of this two-island nation, has captivated many who have made it their permanent residence, or their second home.

The History of the Antigua Second Citizenship Program

Early in 2013, the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda voted to establish a Citizenship by Investment Programme to spur economic development in the islands by granting citizenship in return for investments, to foreigners of impeccable reputation and credentials. Antigua has long been an international hub for the West Indies and the new CIP is breathing life into the tourism and financial sectors.

Advantages of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme

• Extensive visa-free travel to 150+ countries.

• Quick processing: estimated at 3-6 months, subject to successful due diligence and background checks.

• Inclusion of dependent children under 30 years, and dependent parents or grandparents over 55 years.

• No age limit for unmarried siblings as eligible dependants.

• A family of up to 4 members (2 adults and 2 minor) apply for a single investment amount. Although fees may be added for each applicant, the investment value of US$ 230,000 (including the single applicant’s fees) remains the same, irrespective of the number of family members.

• No taxes on international revenue, wealth or inheritance tax.

• Antigua is the only jurisdiction to formally offer Citizenship by Investment to Stateless Persons.

• CIP investors can resell property to subsequent CIP applicants, whether in the form of share or unit, passing on the same rights to apply for citizenship.

• No requirement to travel to Antigua and Barbuda during the application process. You are however obliged to swear an oath of alliegance in person within your first five years as a citizen of Antigua.

*conditions apply

Investment Opportunities for Citizenship of Antigua

I. Government Donation to National Development Fund (NDF)

In order to qualify for this route of investment, the applicant makes a non-refundable contribution to the government-controlled National Development Fund (NDF). This non-profit fund is subject to parliamentary oversight to allow for transparency and accountability and will also be audited by an internationally recognized accounting firm.

The investment amount will vary depending on the family size. The statutory application fees (i.e. due diligence and 10% of the government fee) are paid to the Citizenship by Investment Unit prior to submitting an application. Upon approval, the applicant transfers the investment funds contributing to the NDF, to the designated government account via NTL Trust.

The entire process takes approximately 3 to 6 months to complete. Citizenship is granted, upon which NTL Trust will obtain passports and courier them to the client. Of course, if the clients choose to pick up their passports in person, that is even better!

II. Real Estate Investment

To qualify, the investor must enter into a contract to purchase a government-approved real estate.

There are 3 pathways:

• The applicant purchases a government-approved real estate valued at a minimum of US$ 400,000. The minimum holding-period is 5 years.

• The applicant purchases a government-approved real estate valued at a minimum of US$ 200,000 with the minimum holding-period of 5 years.

• There is also the opportunity to make a joint investment: two applicants may choose to purchase a property together - handled by the same Local Agent - that values no less than US$ 400,000 by each investor making a minimum of US$ 200,000 investment. The minimum holding-period is 5 years.

Once the purchase contract has been signed and the initial deposit (typically 10%) is in escrow in Antigua, the investor may apply for citizenship. The real estate contract is generally contingent upon approval of the application.

Important: The property may not be sold within five years from the grant of citizenship.

Various quality real estate developments in Antigua and Barbuda cater to those investing through the Citizenship by Investment programme and make every effort to ensure ownership is a hassle-free experience. NTL Trust can help to choose among the real estate citizenship-by-investment programs with recommendations in Antigua. Opportunities available typically include high-end boutique hotels, apartments, and more modest hotel properties.

III. UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES (UWI) FUND

The UWI Fund is an innovative government-backed initiative designed to fund the prestigious University of the West Indies' new campus, a leading higher education institution in the Caribbean. Under this program, individuals interested in the Citizenship by Investment Programme must invest US$150,000, which covers a family of six or more people, with a minimum of six individuals per application.

A notable benefit of this option is that it offers one family member a one-year scholarship for tuition at the University of the West Indies. This means that by investing, you secure your family's future and contribute to the progress of higher education in the region.

IV. Business investment

Antigua & Barbuda offers a fourth option of direct investment into an authorised business on the islands.

The required minimum investment levels are as follows:

• An individual makes an investment in an approved business of at least US$ 1,500,000 on their own behalf.

• A minimum of at least two individuals can make a joint investment in an approved business totalling at least US$ 5,000,000. Each investor is then to contribute at least US$ 400,000 individually.

NB: All potential investors are advised to contact the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA), through NTL Trust to discuss the details of the proposed investment before initiating business.