Antigua and Barbuda, Caribbean Island
Antigua and Barbuda: A Tropical Paradise with Global Opportunities
Country Information
Antigua and Barbuda, an independent Commonwealth state in the Eastern Caribbean, is known for its stunning 365 beaches, making it a premier destination for tourism, the island’s primary industry. With a population of about 97,000, this tropical paradise thrives on tourism, financial services, and government sectors.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program
Launched in 2012, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program offers a pathway to alternative citizenship through property investment or contributions to the National Development Fund. Antigua’s economy, driven by tourism, benefits from this program, which supports national growth and development.
Investment Options:
National Development Fund (NDF): Contribute at least USD 100,000 to the NDF, supporting national projects and infrastructure.
Real Estate Investment: Invest a minimum of USD 200,000 in government-approved real estate, which must be held for at least five years.
Business Investment: Invest USD 1.5 million individually or USD 5 million jointly in an approved business.
Benefits:
Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 destinations, including the UK and Schengen Area.
No residency requirements.
Dual citizenship is allowed.
Processing Time:
The application process takes around 3 to 4 months. Cliff Inc. will guide you through every step, ensuring a smooth and successful application.
Living in Antigua and Barbuda
The island nation’s economy is bolstered by the National Economic and Social Transformation Plan, along with ongoing investments like the USD 45 million airport expansion. Antigua’s currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (ECD), pegged to the USD. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the British Commonwealth, CARICOM, and other international organizations.
Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
An Antigua and Barbuda passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 150 destinations including Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and Europe's Schengen Area
Applicants are able to include a spouse, dependent children under 31 (as well as their spouse and children), parents and grandparents aged 55 and over, and unmarried siblings of the main applicant and/or their spouse of any age, as well as to add dependents after they have been granted citizenship
Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth, entitling citizens to certain privileges in the UK and other member states
The nation is an attractive place to live or to own a second home in, with excellent air links to North America and Europe
Requirements of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment
To qualify for citizenship, the main applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements, and select one of the following four options available:
A contribution to the National Development Fund of a minimum non-refundable amount of USD 230,000
A contribution to the University of the West Indies of a minimum non-refundable amount of USD 260,000
The purchase of real estate with a minimum value of USD 300,000 from an approved real estate project. Two applicants can make a joint investment with each applicant investing a minimum of USD 300,000 to qualify. The real estate cannot be disposed of within the five-year period
The direct purchase of an eligible business for a minimum amount of USD 1.5 million as an individual. Alternatively, a joint purchase where each person contributes at least USD 400,000, totaling a minimum of USD 5 million
Procedures and time frame of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program
The government authority responsible for administering the program, the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), is responsible for the processing and thorough examining of all applications.
The CIU undertakes strict due diligence checks and will decline an application if the applicant makes a false statement or omits any relevant information in the application. The documentary requirements of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program are reasonable, and the procedures are straightforward. Once the application has been approved, main applicants and dependents aged 16 and older are required to attend mandatory virtual interviews. Passports can then be collected in Antigua and Barbuda. It is estimated that the process will take between four and five months from the submission of the application to issuance of the passport, assuming there are no areas of concern with the application.
Successful applicants are required to reside in Antigua and Barbuda for a minimum of five days during the first five years of obtaining citizenship. Under the real estate option, the time frame may vary depending on the project. Therefore, it is important to select a real estate project that can provide the necessary paperwork required from the developer for the citizenship application.
