Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Program

Antigua and Barbuda is an independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean. With some 365 beaches of clean turquoise waters, the lush tropical islands of Antigua and Barbuda are an inviting paradise and considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. As a result, tourism is the key driver of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates around 60% of the island’s income, with key target markets being the U.S., Canada and Europe. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the United Nations, the British Commonwealth, Caricom and the Organisation of American States (OAS) among many other international organizations. The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) was established by the Honourable Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda and is the Government authority responsible for processing all applications for Agent’s Licenses, and all applications for Citizenship by Investment by applicants and their family.

The Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) was established following parliamentary assent to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Regulations 2014. The Regulations regarding Citizenship by Investment in Antigua and Barbuda are contained in Section 6 of the Citizenship by Investment Act, 2014. These provisions allow the government to operate a programme under which citizenship is granted to persons who qualify under criteria set by parliamentary decision.

Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship

• Antigua and Barbuda offers a special investment option to families of six or more. They can contribute $150,000+ to the University of the West Indies Fund. Thus, a large family spends less than under any other Caribbean CBI program. One family member can enroll in the university and study for a year free of charge.

• The Antigua and Barbuda passport equals a Schengen visa, allowing cosmopolitans to enter the Schengen countries and stay in the region for up to 90 out of 180 days. The investors can also stay in the UK up to 180 days a year. The complete list of visa-free destinations includes 150+ countries.

• Antigua and Barbuda citizens can get a 10-year B-1/B-2 visitor visa to the USA. The visa allows the holder to spend up to 180 days a year in the United States: travel, attend conferences, hold business meetings, and receive medical treatment at US clinics.

• With the Antigua and Barbuda passports, investors can leave their countries of residence at any time without a visa and at short notice. It might be helpful in case of an unforeseen political or economic crisis, pandemic, or threat to the family’s safety and well-being.

• Antigua and Barbuda does not tax personal income, inheritance, or capital gains. Tax residents don't pay taxes on dividends, interest or royalties.

• Obtaining an Antigua and Barbuda passport by investment takes 3+ months, a short time compared with citizenship in most other countries globally. The procedure is remote and doesn’t include language or history tests.

• Investors’ spouses, children under 30, parents over 55, and unmarried siblings may be included in the application.

• The country recognizes dual citizenship. Investors mustn’t renounce other citizenships unless other countries require it.

• Cheapest family oriented citizenship program in the Caribbean.

Requirements of Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment 

The Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) requires a person to make a significant economic contribution to the Country. In exchange, and subject to stringent application procedures, including thorough background checks, the applicants and their families are granted citizenship. To qualify for citizenship, the primary applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements and select one of the following three investment options;

• A contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) of a minimum non-refundable amount of US$200,000. Until 31st October 2019, there is a Limited Time Offer (LTO); The threshold for the National Development Fund (NDF) option has been reduced by %50; from US$200,000 to US$100,000 for a family of up to four persons, and from US$250,000 to US$125,000 for a family of five and over. 

• An investment of at least US$400,000 into one of the approved real estate projects and to be held for a minimum period of 5 years. Until 31st October 2019, there is a Limited Time Offer (LTO); Two (2) applications from related parties can make a joint investment, with each applicant investing a minimum of US $200,000 in order to qualify. 

• An investment of a minimum of US$1,500,000 directly into an eligible business as a sole investor or a joint investment involving at least 2 persons in an eligible business totalling at least US$5,000,000 and each of those persons individually invests at least US$400,000.

• Investors must spend in Antigua and Barbuda at least 5 days within the first 5 years after obtaining citizenship. This requirement must be met at the time of renewing the passport when it expires after 5 years.

• Mandatory interviews for principal applicant and children over 16 years of age.

All three investment options are subject to government processing and due diligence fees.

Investment Options

The University of the West Indies Fund (UWI) option is a mechanism for financing UWI’s fourth landed campus.

Applicants to the Citizenship by Investment Programme who choose this option will be required to make an investment of US$150,000 for a family of six (6) or more (i.e. minimum number of persons per application is 6). Participation in the option will entitle one member of the family to a one year, tuition only, scholarship at the University of the West Indies. The application process is fairly straightforward and application forms can be obtained from a local Licensed Agent, whom has been licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). Upon submission of the application the full due diligence will be required to be paid. Upon receipt of a letter of approval, the applicant will then be asked to pay the passport fees and the contribution. The fees are paid directly to the Unit and the contribution must be made to the Government Special Fund within a 30 day period. Once received, a certificate of registration of Citizenship will be issued for the primary applicant and their family members, which will be submitted to the Passport Office for processing with their passport application and any accompanying documentation. Upon completion, the authorized agent/representative will forward the Passports and Citizenship Certificate document to the applicant. On the first occasion that the applicant visits Antigua and Barbuda he can take the oath or affirmation of allegiance or the applicant can visit an Embassy, High Commission or Consular Office of Antigua and Barbuda to fulfil the requirement to take the oath or affirmation of allegiance.

The National Development Fund (NDF) is a non-profit fund that is subject to parliamentary oversight by way of a six monthly report to be presented to Parliament in sufficient detail to allow for transparency and accountability. The fund will also be audited by an internationally recognised accounting firm. It is established under section 42(2) of the Finance Administration Act 2006 for the purpose of funding government sponsored projects, including public-private partnerships and approved charitable investments. Acquisition of citizenship under the NDF investment option requires a contribution to the National Development Fund in the minimum sum of US$100,000 per application. The contribution is in the form of a one-time payment. The primary applicant may include spouse, dependent children and dependent parents over 55 years of age within the application with no additional NDF contribution required, although government and due diligence fees will be payable per each individual which are outlined within the fees section. The application process is fairly straightforward and application forms can be obtained from a local authorized agent, whom has been licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).

Upon submission of the application the applicant will be asked to pay the full due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fee. Upon receipt of a letter of approval, the applicant will be asked to pay the balance of the government processing fees, passport fees and the contribution. The fees are paid directly to the Unit and the contribution must be made to the Government Special Fund within a 30 day period.

Once received, a certificate of registration of Citizenship will be issued for both the primary applicant and their family members, which will be submitted to the passport office with their passport application and any accompanying documentation. The authorized agent/representative will forward the Passports and Citizenship Certificate document to the applicant.

On the first occasion that the applicant visits Antigua and Barbuda he can take the oath or affirmation of allegiance or he can visit an Embassy, High Commission or Consular Office of Antigua and Barbuda to fulfil the requirement to take the oath or affirmation of allegiance.

Real Estate Option

Applicants wishing to qualify for citizenship under the real estate option may choose from one of three pathways. An applicant may purchase property valued at minimum US$400,000 and hold title to same through single ownership. Alternatively, two applicants may choose to make a joint purchase of property valued at minimum US$400,000 by each making an investment of no less than US$200,000. Title to the property will be held jointly. An applicant may also purchase property valued at minimum US$200,000 through single/individual ownership.

Beneficial ownership of real estate is permissible through a non-profit company provided that the company has issued all of its authorized shares to the applicant(s), is established and is in good standing under the laws of Antigua and Barbuda, is not an exempt or offshore entity and submits irrefutable evidence as to its beneficial ownership, which evidence shall be certified by the Registrar of Companies.

As the application procedure under this option involves the purchase of real estate, this can lengthen the processing time depending on the chosen property. The real estate cannot be re-sold until 5 years after the purchase, unless purchasing an alternate officially approved real estate property in Antigua and Barbuda.

An application for citizenship by investment under the real estate investment option can be submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) when a binding purchase and sale agreement has been signed with the developer of an approved project, which will be subject to the granting of the citizenship application.

Upon submission of the application the applicant will be asked to pay the due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fee. On receipt of a letter of approval the applicant will be asked to pay the balance of the government processing fee and all sums due to the developer under the sale and purchase agreement to enable title to be registered in applicant’s name and allow for implementation of the proposed real estate investment in accordance with the guidelines established by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).

Once received, a certificate of registration will be issued for both the primary applicant and their family members, which will need to be submitted to the passport office with their application and any accompanying documentation.

The authorized agent/representative will advise the applicant of dates available to either;

• Visit Antigua and Barbuda to collect his passport and to take the oath or affirmation of allegiance

• Visit an Embassy, High Commission or Consular Office of Antigua and Barbuda to collect his passport and to take the oath or affirmation of allegiance.  

Business Invesment

The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) makes recommendation to Cabinet for approval of businesses, whether existing or proposed, for the purposes of investment in business under the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

The two business investment options are:

• A principal applicant, on his own behalf, makes an investment in an approved business of at least US$1,500,000

• A minimum of 2 persons to make a joint investment in an approved business totaling at least US$ 5,000,000. Each person is required to contribute at least US$400,000 to the joint investment. An application for Citizenship by Investment may be submitted on his, her or their behalf through an agent.

Once approval of the business investment has been given, the CIU will consider applications for citizenship. The application process is similar to that of the NDF, namely, upon submission of the application the applicant will be asked to pay the due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing  fees. Upon receipt of a letter of approval the applicant will be asked to pay the balance of the government processing fees and the business investment amount within a 30 day period.  Due to the potential varied nature of such investments any escrow agreement will be negotiated between the parties yet transfer of the investment sums must be made within a 30 day period from issuance of an approval letter.

Once received, a certificate of registration will be issued for the both the primary applicant and their family members which will be submitted to the passport office with their application and any accompanying documentation.

The authorized agent/representative will advise the applicant of dates available to either:

• Visit Antigua and Barbuda to collect the passport and to take the oath or affirmation of allegiance.

• Visit an Embassy, High Commission or Consular Office of Antigua and Barbuda to collect the passport and to take the oath or affirmation of allegiance.  

Timeframes

The processing time is very fast within 3-4 months.  The passport initially issued with 5 year validity can be easily renewed later by paying a very small fee ($350).

Due Diligence and Application

(1-3 Months)

• Complete pre-assessment, KYC and eligibility and due diligence checks

• Complete all application forms, payment of legal and due diligence fee

Approval and Investment

(4-5 Months)

• Upon approval, pay the balance of the investment, passport fees, and other government fees

• Citizenship And Passport

Citizenship and Passport

(1-3 Months)

• Applicant swears Oath of Allegiance and completes Passport application.

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  Issuance of Citizenship certificate.
  
  
  
  

Payments and Fees

The National Development Fund (NDF)

The Real Estate Investment Options

The Business Investment Options

The University of the West Indies Fund (UWI)

Due Diligence and passport fees

Addition of Dependents

Mandatory interview fee $1500

Deprivation of Citizenship

• Deprivation of citizenship may occur if the citizen does not spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda during the period of five calendar years after having obtained citizenship and they will not be entitled to repayment of any investment, contribution or purchase price made by them in their original application for citizenship.

• Deprivation of citizenship will occur where such registration as a citizen was obtained by false representation or fraud or willful concealment of material facts or the person has been convicted in Antigua and Barbuda of an act of treason or sedition.