15 Antigua and Barbuda passport benefits and disadvantages for an investor

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program was designed for wealthy individuals and launched in 2013. 

Investment options. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship applicants choose from 4 options:

• $100,000+ as a contribution to the National Development Fund;

• $150,000+ as a contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund, only for families of 6+;

• $200,000+ as a purchase of real estate;

• $400,000+ as an investment in a business.

The investment amount for each option, except the real estate purchase, depends on the family's composition. 

In addition, applicants pay a state fee of $30,000+ when contributing to the National Development Fund, purchasing real estate or investing in a business. The contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund already includes the state fee, but an additional $15,000 is required per relative, starting at the 7th dependant.

How to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment

Timeframe. Obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment takes 3—6 months. In comparison, the standard naturalisation in most countries requires 5 years of permanent living in the country.

The list of the required documents includes the following:

1. National passport.

2. Birth certificate.

3. Personal reference.

4. Marriage certificate, if applicable.

5. Divorce certificate, if applicable.

6. Affidavit of support for each dependent, if applicable.

7. Basic application form.

8. Medical certificate form.

9. Investment confirmation form.

10. Photograph and signature certificate form.

11. Police certificate of no criminal record.

12. Tax returns and income statements.

Additional documents depend on the investment option. For example, if an investor chooses a property purchase, they provide a purchase agreement.

Why Antigua and Barbuda is more than a holiday destination and what its investment program offers

1. Visa-free entry to over 150 countries. With an Antigua and Barbuda passport, investors spend 90 days out of 180 in the Schengen countries and 180 consecutive days in the UK.

Travelling visa-free to Singapore, Hong Kong, and China is also possible. It simplifies business travel for those who work with partners in Asia.

2. Long-stay visa to the USA. Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda receive a B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa to the United States for 10 years, and when it expires, they extend it remotely. With this visa, you can spend up to 180 days a year in the USA: travel, be treated in American clinics, and participate in scientific conferences and business meetings.

3. Conducting international business. With the passport of Antigua and Barbuda, investors can easily open accounts in European banks, thereby solving the issue of currency control. In this way, settlements between counterparties require fewer costs and time.

4. Real estate income. If investors obtain citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda to purchase real estate, they will have several advantages. While owning real estate, you can rent it out and make a profit. It is optional to monitor the property’s condition; the management company does this.

The yield of properties in Antigua and Barbuda ranges from 2 to 5% per annum.

In five years, the property can be sold. Thus, the investor can return the money.

Examples of Antigua and Barbuda real estate

Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Philip

$400,000 — $650,000

Apartments in a hotel complex by the sea

1

1

Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Philip

$200,000 — $2,850,000

Share, apartements, townhouse or villa in a resort on the coast of the island

56 m² — 619 m²

1—5

1—5

Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Philip

$400,000 — $450,000

Villa in a five-star resort complex

120 m²

2—3

1—2

5. Tax optimisation. To optimise the taxation of their company, investors can transfer the business to Antigua and Barbuda. In this country, the global income tax is levied at a rate of 25%, and VAT does not exceed 15% and is not imposed on goods for export. Social contributions make up 6% of the salary of employees.

Individuals can also reduce their tax burden. For this, they need to become tax residents of Antigua and Barbuda, spending at least 183 days a year in the country. There are no taxes on income, salary, inheritance, capital gains, dividends, interest and royalties in Antigua and Barbuda.

6. “Safe haven” abroad and a place for vacation even during coronavirus restrictions. Whatever happens in the country of residence — a crisis, unrest, natural disasters or an epidemic — with an Antigua and Barbuda passport, an investor will be able to leave the country at any time and fly to the islands.

7. Retaining first citizenship. Antigua and Barbuda allows their citizens to have more than one citizenship, so there is no need to renounce the first citizenship when obtaining a country’s passport.

8. Stable democratic government and the rule of law. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations. After gaining independence in 1981, Antigua and Barbuda remained under the control of the British monarch. The Governor-General represents the monarch on the island.

The main goal of the Commonwealth is promoting democracy — building, supporting and strengthening legal systems and good governance in member countries. Since 1980, the Commonwealth has observed over 160 elections in 40 countries.

9. Access to international banking services. With an Antigua and Barbuda passport, opening an account with a European or other international bank may be more accessible: the background check will not be as strict and lengthy, and refusal is less likely. This enables investors to move savings to a reliable bank and complete foreign exchange transactions without the challenges associated with foreign exchange control.

10. Living in Antigua and Barbuda without limits. The investor and their family members can visit the country anytime, even if the borders are closed for third-country nationals.

11. The extended list of family members to join the application. When it comes to obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment, the program allows the participants to add their close family members to the application.

Family members can obtain citizenship simultaneously as investors. The program allows providing citizenship to the principal applicant’s spouse, children under 30, parents, and siblings.

Citizenship by investment programs in other countries often do not include siblings or parents in the application. For instance, Turkey issues passports only to the investor’s spouse and children under 18. In Vanuatu’s or Dominica’s programs, siblings cannot be included in the application.

12. Investors can obtain citizenship remotely. The applicant doesn’t have to visit Antigua and Barbuda to get citizenship — the whole process can be done remotely, including submitting documents and fulfilling the investment conditions.

The only requirement is to visit the country once for at least five days within the five years after obtaining the passport. This applies to each person who got a passport, including the investor and their family members.

13. No requirement to live permanently in the country. Investors must not reside in Antigua and Barbuda to keep their citizenship. The only requirement for staying in the country is to visit it for at least five days within five years after receiving the passport.

14. No language or history exams for new citizens. Investors don’t need to take language or history exams to obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport, while many other countries — for example, the European ones — require applicants for citizenship to learn national languages and take integration courses.

15. Investment option for big families. Investors willing to provide passports to their big families can take advantage of a unique investment opportunity within the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program.

An applicant with a family of 6 or more people can make a non-refundable contribution to the University of West Indies fund. The contribution fee is $150,000 for six people. For any additional family member, the investor adds $15,000 to the contribution.

After obtaining citizenship, one of the family members under 29 can study at the University of the West Indies for free for one year.

Antigua and Barbuda passport benefits are impressive. However, there are some disadvantages compared to other citizenship by investment programs.

Citizenship is not inherited. You can add a new family member — a spouse, children under 18 or parents — within the first five years after receiving an Antigua and Barbuda passport. Other Caribbean countries like St Kitts and Nevis allow the inheritance of citizenship obtained by investment.

At the same time, in Antigua and Barbuda, you can obtain citizenship through soil law. The investor’s grandchildren will receive citizenship if they are born in Antigua and Barbuda.

You must stay in Antigua and Barbuda for five days. During the first five years after obtaining citizenship, an investor must come to the country and spend at least five days.

You have to pay taxes in two countries. Antigua and Barbuda only has double tax treaties with the UK and Germany.

Suppose an investor is a tax resident of another country and receives income from renting out real estate in Antigua and Barbuda. In that case, they need to declare this income in the country of tax residence and pay taxes.

You can’t go to the US without a visa. Citizens of Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, require a visa for any trip to the United States. To travel to the United States without a visa, you can receive Malta citizenship by naturalisation for exceptional services by direct investment.

It is not possible to obtain an E‑2 business visa to the USA, which allows you to live, study and do business in the USA. The visa is issued for 2—5 years, renewable unlimited times, and is available to Grenada citizens.

Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program is available to adult investors with no criminal records and grave illnesses. Besides, it’s one of the quickest and most accessible paths to a second passport.

However, it’s essential to consider all the pros and cons before investing $100,000 in the Caribbean country’s economy.

Category

Procedure

👍 Advantages

No language, culture or history exams 

👎 Disadvantages

Only a licensed agent can apply for citizenship on the investor’s behalf

Category

Remoteness

👍 Advantages

Documents are sent and received by courier

👎 Disadvantages

An oath of allegiance is required, usually taken in Antigua and Barbuda or the country’s Embassy

Category

Timeframe

👍 Advantages

3—6 months to obtain citizenship

👎 Disadvantages

The process may take longer if the CBI Unit has additional requests or is overloaded

Category

Residing in the country

👍 Advantages

Relocation and living in Antigua and Barbuda isn’t required before or after obtaining citizenship

👎 Disadvantages

Investors must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 years after obtaining citizenship

Category

Investment option

👍 Advantages

Various options of $100,000—400,000, with a unique offer for big families

👎 Disadvantages

No option to purchase securities

Category

Return on investment

👍 Advantages

Real estate can be sold in 5 years

👎 Disadvantages

Only one returnable option

Category

Participation of family members

👍 Advantages

Spouses, children, parents, parents, and siblings can obtain citizenship

👎 Disadvantages

Age limits apply to children and parents

All adult relatives must financially depend on the investor

Category

Travel

👍 Advantages

150+ countries are visa-free, including the Schengen states, the UK, China, and Singapore

👎 Disadvantages

Entry to the USA requires a visa

1. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment offers numerous benefits for investors, including visa-free travel to many countries, access to long-stay visas, opportunities for international business, and tax optimisation.

2. The investment program also allows for retaining existing citizenship, providing a safe haven abroad, and includes extended family members in the application process.

3. Additionally, the acquisition process can be completed remotely, and investors are not required to reside in the country.

4. However, there are some disadvantages to consider, such as the inability to inherit citizenship obtained by investment, the requirement to spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first five years of acquiring citizenship, potential tax obligations in multiple countries, and limitations on visa-free travel to certain countries like the United States.