Foreign investors interested in a golden visa program can have plenty of choices in countries all over the world. While some choose Europe, as many states here offer such schemes, others decide on remote offshore destinations. One of the most sought in this sense is Antigua and Barbuda.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Nationalities accepted | All |
|
Business investment option (YES/NO) |
Yes, business acquisition valued at minimum USD 1.5 million |
|
Real estate investment option (YES/NO) |
Yes, minimum value USD 200,000 |
| Other investment options (if available) |
Yes, through donation to the University of the West Indies of at leat USD 150,000 or to the National Development Fund worth USD 100,000 |
| Living requirement in Antigua (YES/NO) |
Yes, 5 days per year in the first 5 years |
| Residence or direct citizenship option |
Citizenship |
| Direct immigration with family mmebers (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Direct immigration with family members (YES/NO) |
– spouse, – children under the age of 31, – parents over the age of 55, – unmarried brothers/sisters of the applicant and spouse |
| Residence visa/citizenship processing time (approx.) |
3 – 4 months |
| Additional financial requirements for family members (YES/NO) | No |
| Timeframe for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment |
5 years |
| Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO) |
Yes |
| Reasons to choose Antigua and Barbuda |
– low minimum investment requirement, – possibility to move with extended family, – no additional financial requirements for other members, – quick visa processing time |
| Personal income tax rate |
No personal income tax |
| Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries) |
Approx. 150 countries |
If you want to apply for citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda, this article is for you. We invite you to get in touch with our specialists for guidance on obtaining a golden passport for Antigua and Barbuda.
Table of Contents
The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program
The Antigua and Barbuda golden visa was launched in 2012 and implemented in 2013 and is one of the most appreciated in the Caribbean region. With beautiful landscapes and great investment opportunities, this is one of the most appealing citizenship by investment countries in the region, as it combines living conditions with the possibility of obtaining substantial incomes. It should also be noted that the program was renewed in 2020 when a new investment option was added.
If you want to buy a golden visa and decide on Antigua and Barbuda, you can obtain the support of our local consultants who can let you know the requirements of the program and how soon you can relocate here. For obtaining a golden passport for Antigua and Barbuda you should follow a legal procedure that can be explained by our lawyers.
What does the golden visa in Antigua imply?
The 2023 Antigua and Barbuda passport by investment scheme is open to all foreign investors and high net worth individuals who meet the following requirements:
- they are at least 18 years old;
- they have clean criminal records;
- they prove they are financially worthy.
With respect to the minimum amount to be invested and the timeframe to obtain citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda, here are the main aspects to consider:
- a donation of 100,000 USD which was the first option through which one can obtain an Antigua and Barbuda golden visa;
- a contribution to the University of the West Indies of at least 150,000 USD can also lead to citizenship by investment;
- real estate purchase with a minimum value of 200,000 USD which is the latest option introduced in the program;
- the purchase of local business worth at least 1.5 million USD is also an option;
- the processing time to obtain a golden visa in Antigua takes between 3 and 5 months
At the level of 2023, Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment can be obtained after living here for 5 years. We can help you buy a passport for Antigua and Barbuda, if you observe the local rules.
At the moment, Antigua and Barbuda is one of the most appealing golden visa countries in the Caribbean region.
If you want to start the procedure of buying a golden visa in Antigua and Barbuda, you can find out more about it from the infographic below:
If you are looking for an offshore destination in Europe, you can buy a golden visa in Cyprus, which has recently been renewed.
Donations and contributions as means of obtaining golden visas in Antigua in 2023
High net worth individuals may donate USD 100,000 (for up to four people) or USD 125,000 (for five or more people) to the National Development Fund or a recognized charity. The main applicant may include their spouse and all eligible dependents, but each person must undergo government and due diligence.
A family of six members is entitled to seek citizenship for an investment in Antigua and Barbuda of USD150,000 by investing in the University of West Indies.
Processing and government expenses are included in the investment amount, but each qualified dependent is subject to the usual due diligence charges. Furthermore, one family member is eligible for a one-year scholarship at the University of the West Indies. For larger families, there are additional processing fees charged by the government.
Real estate purchase in Antigua and Barbuda
Applicants may also buy real estate in a pre-approved real estate development area for no less than USD 400,000. The investment has to be kept up for at least 5 years. Taxes, registration fees, and other associated costs may be paid in addition to the purchase price of the property.
This is one of the most appealing ways of obtaining a golden visa in Antigua and Barbuda in 2023, as the property can also be used for rental during the holiday season.
Business investment
Investors also have the option of moving to Antigua through an investment of USD 1.5 million to launch a company. A joint investment in a firm may be made by two or more applicants with a minimum investment requirement of $5 million and a minimum individual threshold of $400,000.
Documents to prepare when filing for an Antigua and Barbuda passport by investment
Foreign citizens who want to obtain an Antigua and Barbuda golden visa in 2023 must prepare various documents. Among these, valid passports of the main applicant and family members joining him/her (where applicable), bank statements proving the deposit of the amount invested in accordance with the selected option, proof of the legitimacy of the funds, the application form issued by the local authorities.
If you are interested in the golden visa program developed by Antigua and Barbuda and need guidance in drafting the necessary documents, you can rely on our specialists.
It should be noted that Antigua and Barbuda has a special organization handling the procedure. This is the Citizenship by Investment Unit. The main advantage is the reduced processing time of the visa application, as mentioned above.
Developments under the new golden visa program in Antigua and Barbuda
Future spouses and dependent children may be added for citizenship. Children under the age of six are required to pay a cost of $10,000, while children ages six to seventeen are required to pay a fee of $20,000. The least expensive golden passport in Antigua is for families with up to 4 kids. New visa waiver agreements were reached by Antigua with Kosovo, Russia, and the Ukraine. All passports issued by Antigua are now biometric ones.
The new legislation broadens the definition of dependents and enables investors to include more family members, among which:
- the current spouse of the main applicant;
- a child who is a newborn and up to 30 years old and financially reliant on the principal applicant, or the principal applicant’s spouse;
- a dependent adult child of the principal applicant or his or her spouse who is physically or mentally disabled, resides with and is entirely supported by the principal applicant, and is at least 18 years old;
- a parent or grandparent of the main applicant, or of his or her spouse, who is at least 55 years old and who depends on the main applicant financially;
- an unmarried brother or sister of the main applicant of the applicant’s spouse.
It is simple to enroll family members or dependents at any moment after the main applicant has already obtained citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda. Among the relatives accepted are:
- the future spouse of the main applicant;
- the future spouse of dependent children who are financially dependent on the principal applicant;
- a future child of a dependent kid, and a fee of US$50,000 is due at the time of application.
For children under the age of 5, a fee of USD 10,000 must be paid, while children between the ages of six and seventeen are subject to a fee of USD 20,000.
According to a recent government announcement, bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are acceptable for the Antigua citizenship by investment program in 2023. However, this idea is still in the works and has not yet been put into action.
If you want to obtain more information on golden visa passports in order to decide, you can find several articles on our website where you can get detailed information on several programs. We also invite you to watch our video below:
What is the most chosen option for the Antigua and Barbuda passport by investment?
All most golden visa countries, Antigua and Barbuda offers several choices to investors and people who want to relocate to other states, and here, the donation is one of the most selected options by those who want to move with their families.
It is worth noting that the program associated with the golden visa in Antigua enables foreign citizens to move here with the spouse, children, parents, and even siblings.
Foreign citizens seeking to relocate and apply for citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda should know that when moving with family members, government fees for the visa processing are a little higher.
If you are yet to choose among the citizenship by investment countries that enable family immigration and decide for Antigua and Barbuda, do not hesitate to contact our local consultants for assistance in applying for a visa.
Why move to Antigua in 2023
Investors will receive an Antigua and Barbuda passport once they have been given citizenship. According to the Passport Index holders of Antiguan passports have visa-free access to 96 nations globally.
Passport holders from Antigua can travel to the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and other countries without a visa. Also, there is no need to move to Antigua once you’ve gotten your citizenship. The Caribbean territories of Antigua and Barbuda Islands offer a tropical paradise with breathtaking beaches, blue waters, and mild weather all year long. Real estate here can be an excellent alternative for people wishing to make a long-term investment or simply purchase a vacation house due to its many advantages for investors.
Do not hesitate to send us your questions on the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program. Buy a passport for Antigua and Barbuda with the help of our experienced lawyers.