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Antigua and Barbuda investment citizenship

Antigua and Barbuda investment citizenship overview

Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship-by-Investment Programme (CIP) lets eligible individuals and their families obtain full legal citizenship and passports by making a qualifying significant investment. There are currently four qualifying investment options. The National Development Fund route is a USD 230,000 contribution for a family of up to 4, plus USD 10,000 for each additional dependent. The University of the West Indies (UWI) Development Fund route is a USD 260,000 contribution for a family of up to 6, plus USD 10,000 for each additional dependent. The Real Estate route is a minimum USD 300,000 investment in an approved real estate project held for at least 5 years. Processing, due diligence, legal, government, and bank fees are additional to these investment amounts.

Antigua and Barbuda investment citizenship benefits

  • Citizenship for life, applicable for future generations
  • Multiple citizenship is permitted
  • Dependents that may be included: a spouse; children under 31 years old; spouses and children of dependent children; parents above 55 years old; and unmarried siblings (of any age) of the applicant or spouse
  • Ability to add a future spouse and future children
  • Visa-free travel and entry to over 150 jurisdictions
  • Attractive tax regime with no personal taxes
  • No language requirement
  • No education or management experience required
  • Possibility to live, work, and settle in any other member country of the OECS/CARICOM nations

Antigua and Barbuda investment citizenship requirements

  • The applicant must be over 18 years old
  • Be of good character (excludes minor or spent convictions)
  • The applicant must not be the subject of a criminal investigation
  • Have not been denied a visa from any visa-free country with no subsequent visa approval
  • The applicant and family members may not have any contagious disease and must be in good health
  • The application must be submitted through a government-authorised agent

Antigua and Barbuda investment citizenship investment options

  • The Donation options:
    • Government Donation: USD 230,000 for up to 4 family members, plus USD 10,000 for each additional dependent
    • Minimum contribution to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Development Fund: USD 260,000 for families of at least 6 persons, plus USD 10,000 for each additional dependent
  • The Real Estate option:
    • Minimum investment of USD 300,000 in a government-approved real estate project
    • Real estate must be held for a minimum of 5 years

Antigua and Barbuda investment citizenship application process

Process (between 12 and 18 months)

  • Complete pre-assessment, KYC, and eligibility checks
  • Complete all application forms and pay the legal and due diligence fees
  • Submit the application through an authorized agent
  • Upon approval, pay the balance of the investment, passport fees, and other government fees
  • Obtain the Certificate of Citizenship
  • Issue passports for all family members
  • The applicant and all dependents must visit Antigua & Barbuda for at least 5 days within the first 5 years and swear an oath

Frequently asked questions

Who is eligible to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Programme?

The primary applicant must be over 18, of good character, and must make an investment or contribution in one of the qualifying options. Applicants are ineligible if they provide false information, suffer (or have family members who suffer) from a contagious disease or serious health problems as stated by a medical practitioner, have an unpardoned conviction in any country for an offence carrying a maximum custodial penalty of more than 6 months that is not spent, are subject to a criminal investigation, pose a national security risk to Antigua and Barbuda or any other country, are involved in any activity likely to bring the country into disrepute, or have been denied a visa by a country with which Antigua and Barbuda has visa-free travel without later obtaining a visa to that country.

Nationals of Belarus and Russia are ineligible and may not apply. Nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, and Sudan are restricted, and can apply only if they migrated before the age of majority, or hold permanent residence in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, or the USA for at least 10 years and maintain no economic ties to any restricted country.

Who qualifies as a dependent on an Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Programme application?

The application may include the spouse of the main applicant; dependent children of the main applicant or spouse up to 30 years old, who need not be financially dependent; dependent children over 30 who are physically or mentally challenged and live with and are fully supported by the main applicant; parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse above 55 who live with and are fully supported by the main applicant; and unmarried siblings of the main applicant or spouse.

Can any dependents qualify after approval of the main applicant under the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Programme?

Yes. After the main applicant is approved, a future spouse of the main applicant, a future spouse of a dependent child where that child is financially dependent on the main applicant, and a future child of a dependent child can be added at any time.

What are the benefits of citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda?

The Antigua and Barbuda passport allows visa-free travel to over 150 jurisdictions, including Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, the UK, and the Schengen Area, with a full list available on the CIP website. Multiple citizenship is permitted, and citizenship is valid for a lifetime and can be passed to subsequent generations.

What is the usual processing time for the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Programme?

Processing takes approximately 12 to 18 months, including application preparation, approval, and issue of the certificate of registration and passport.

Do I need to travel to or reside in Antigua as part of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Programme?

No. There is no requirement to travel to or reside in Antigua before obtaining citizenship. However, citizens must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within 5 calendar years after obtaining citizenship and swear an oath in Antigua.

Do I need to show the source of funds for my investment under the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Programme?

Yes. Applicants must show that they have enough funds to make the investment and that the funds were legally obtained. The documents required vary depending on the source of the investment funds.

Can I use money that has been gifted to me by a friend or family member for the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Programme?

Yes. Gifted money from a friend or family member can be used. In most cases, additional documents will be required from the sponsor regarding their source of funds, and the documents required vary depending on the source.

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Antigua and Barbuda investment citizenship

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