Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

Island overview

Antigua and Barbuda is a small state with a total area of 443 square kilometers, located in the Leeward Islands archipelago (occupying three of them) in the Caribbean Sea. The capital of the state is the city of St. John’s. About 70 thousand people live in the country, most of them are African-Americans (their 90%), and about 9% are mulattoes.

On the territory of the country lowlands prevail, the highest point barely reaches 32 meters. The island of Barbuda is almost entirely covered with forests, the island of Antigua is devoid of vegetation, the island of Redonda is an uninhabited rock. Animals are found only on Barbuda, mainly lizards and turtles.

Antigua has a tropical climate characterized by frequent droughts, as rainfall is no more than 1,300 mm per year. The average monthly temperature ranges from +13°C to +33°C.

The official language is English, but the majority of the population speaks Creole. Antigua serves incredible marine exotics: red Lucian cooked on coals, filets of flying fish, clams stewed in garlic sauce and much more. Black pineapple, the sweetest and juiciest variety, is available at the local market. Ginger and dates are used to brew a wonderful beer on the islands. Antigua also has a rum distillery, one of the largest in the region.

Attractions

Antigua has a very symbolic number of beaches – 365. The locals joke that you have to come here for a whole year to have time to visit all the beaches. In the northern part of the island are concentrated the largest hotels and the noisiest places: young people go there.

The population of the island is very hospitable to tourists, gladly sharing the secrets of scuba diving and fishing. Numerous bays and coves have long been loved by divers from all over the world. Every spring yachtsmen come to Antigua to take part in the regatta, which has become one of the ten best in the world. There are several wild beaches on the island of Barbuda, where you have a unique opportunity to watch beautiful rare birds – frigates.

St John’s, the capital of the island of Antigua, retains some colonial buildings, with Fort James and the Anglican Cathedral being particularly popular. The National Museum has stunning exhibits relating to island nature and the inhabitants of the deep.

The most popular attraction in Antigua is English Harbor and Admiral Nelson’s shipyard. People come here to see the naval base of the XVIII century, preserved to this day. Here tourists are offered to visit the Anglican Church, the summer residence of the governor, Fort Berkeley and watch the multimedia show Down Hill about the history of Antigua.

There are several caves on the island of Barbuda, the most famous of which are the complexes on the Castle Hill and at Tu Fu Bay. As you can see, the country is promising not only for living and doing business, but also in terms of tourism.

Real Estate

Antigua and Barbuda offer a vibrant real estate market, especially attractive for investors through its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program.

Situated in the Caribbean Sea, Antigua and Barbuda offer a tropical paradise known for its breathtaking beaches, clear blue waters, and pleasant year-round climate. With numerous advantages for investors, purchasing real estate in Antigua is an excellent option for those seeking either a long-term investment or a vacation home. The islands boast some of the Caribbean’s most coveted landscapes and views, a thriving economy, and access to high-end amenities such as golf courses, marinas, and luxury resorts.

Whether you’re looking to invest in a stunning villa, a beachfront condo, or a commercial property, Antigua’s real estate market has something to offer. For more details on available properties and investment opportunities, please contact us.

Citizenship by Investment

Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program is one of the more recent CBI programs in the Caribbean, established in 2013. It offers a pathway to citizenship for individuals and families who make a significant economic contribution to the country. The program is known for its efficiency, straightforward process, and attractive benefits.

There are several options for investment to gaining citizenship in Antigua. Investors can choose to contribute $230,000 to the Antigua National Development Fund or invest $300,000 in a government approved real estate project. Applicants also have the option to invest $1.5m in establishing a business ($5.0m for two or more investors).

Benefits of the Citizenship by Investment Program

Here are some key benefits worth highlighting as advantages of this option:

• Visa-Free Travel: Antigua and Barbuda passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 countries and territories, including the UK, Schengen Area, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
• Favorable Tax Regime: The country has no capital gains, inheritance, or wealth tax, providing a favorable environment for wealth preservation and financial planning.
• Family Inclusion: The program allows the inclusion of the main applicant’s spouse, dependent children up to 30 years old, dependent parents and grandparents over 55 years old, as well as unmarried siblings.
• High Standard of Living: Antigua and Barbuda offer a high quality of life with excellent healthcare, education, and a pleasant climate in a beautiful and welcoming environment.
• Dual Citizenship Allowed: Retain your original citizenship while enjoying the benefits of a second passport from Antigua and Barbuda.
• No Residency Requirement: No need to reside in Antigua and Barbuda before or after obtaining citizenship, with only a requirement to visit for at least five days within the first five years.
• Fast Processing Time: The application process is efficient, typically taking around three to six months to obtain citizenship.
• Investment Opportunities: Invest in government-approved real estate projects or establish businesses, providing potential returns on investment and business expansion opportunities.
• Political Stability: The country’s stable and democratic government ensures political, social, and economic security for investors and their families.
• Generational Citizenship: Citizenship is permanent and can be passed down to future generations, ensuring long-term benefits for your family.

It is also possible to note attractiveness of Antigua and Barbuda for residence, purchase of the second home. The country has excellent communication by air with the USA and the European Union.

Conditions for acquiring citizenship for investment

The primary applicant must be an adult to become a citizen. Several options are available:

• Payment to the National Development Fund for a minimum of $230,000 + fees.
• Payment to the University of the West Indies for a minimum of $260,000 inclusive of processing fees .
• Acquisition of immovable property with a minimum of $300,000 + fees. on an approved project. Two citizenship applicants can jointly invest the money. Immovable property cannot be alienated for 60 months.
• It is also possible to buy a business for a minimum of $1,500,000 as an individual.

Family members can be included in the application for citizenship. The main investor can include:

• Spouse
• Dependent Children up to 30 years
• Dependent parents over 55 years,
• Unmarried siblings of the principal applicant, or of his or her spouse.

All applicants will need to be of good character and undergo the Governments due diligence formalities: Investors must provide

• Police Reports – evidence of a clean criminal record
• Have no outstanding visa refusals
• Various documentation, including financial documents, employment/ business documents, ID, proof of address

Features of acquiring citizenship for investment

The government agency that administers the programme reviews the applications submitted by citizenship applicants. The CIU checks whether a person is trustworthy, reject the application if the candidate indicates false information in it.

Once the application is approved, principal applicants and dependents over the age of 16 are interviewed. Documents are issued in Antigua and Barbuda.

In 2024, the processing time for applications to Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment program is approximately 5-6 months from the submission date to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). Applicants typically spend about 2-6 weeks beforehand to gather all necessary documentation. Osher Advisors dedicated experts team will advise applicants throughout the entire process, applications can be submitted remotely without the need for travel.

After becoming a citizen of the country, one must live on its territory for at least 5 days during the first 60 months. If real estate was purchased, the terms are determined taking into account the project. It is necessary to select a project that will help prepare the required documentation.