CITIZENSHIP OPTIONS

• UPDATE FOR JULY 2021

• University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund Option – US$150,000 (inclusive of processing fees for a family of six [minimum number of persons]. US$15,000 is payable for each dependent.

Entitles one member of the family to a one-year scholarship, tuition only, at the University of the West Indies.

Frequently Asked Questions on the University of the West Indies Fund Option

Can a family of 4 or 5 persons apply under this option?

This option is only open to families of six (6) persons or more; 6 is the minimum number of persons which can be included in the application. Families of five (5) or less may choose one of the other three (3) options.

Are dependent parents allowed to be part of the family of six?

Dependent parents are allowed to be part of the family of six (6) once they have attained the age of 58 when the application is submitted.

Who is eligible to benefit from the one-year scholarship?

A family member who is part of the application and is less than 29 years is eligible to benefit.

Do we submit 10% of US$150,000 or just due diligence fees?

The government processing fees have already been included in the quoted investment amount. Accordingly, US$3,000 (representing 10% processing fees) is required with the application. Full due diligence fees are also to be paid at this time.

How are we to submit the balance of the fees?

As customary, within 30 days of the approval, the balance of the US$150,000 (US$147,000) will be required to be submitted using the wiring details provided in the approval letter.

Does the scholarship opportunity have an expiry date?

Scholarships must be utilized within the first five (5) years.

• Reduced National Development Fund Contribution – US$100,000.00

Under the revised and updated Citizenship by Investment Act, effective 1st November, 2017 the Government of Antigua and Barbuda has reduced the Contribution to the National Development Fund for applications of not more than 4 persons in a family unit to US$100,000.00 while for applications with more than 4 persons the NDF Contribution is reduced to US$125,000.00.

 

It should be noted that the reduced NDF Contribution is valid for one year commencing 1st November 2017, unless further extended or appropriately reduced by law by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

• Real Estate Investment – US$400,000.00 (Minimum)

A second option for citizenship is to acquire real estate property in an approved zoned area, in an investment that can deliver an annual rate of return. Such an investment requires a minimum acquisition of real estate property of US$400,000.00. There are a number of approved developments that are part of the program. More details on this option is available upon request.

Effective 1st May, 2018 the Government of Antigua and Barbuda introduced a Limited Time Offer (LTO) under the Real Estate Investment option. Until the 31st October, 2018, while the minimum investment remains at US$400,000.00, two applications from related parties can make a joint investment with each applicant investing a minimum of US$200,000.00 in order to qualify. Parties are related by virtue of being represented by the same Licensed Local Agent.

The Citizenship by  Investment  Unit   advises   that  Cabinet,   in  its   meetings  of 11th    December, 2019  and   26th   February   2020,   has  agreed  to  the  following Enhancements and modifications to the Programme as outlined  below:

1.  The retention of the current minimum investment amount of US$400,000 modified by the permanent inclusion of a co-application option at minimum US$200,000;

2.  The resale,  at the end of the five (5)  year renewal  period, of real  estate units and   shares, previously  purchased by applicants under the programme,  to subsequent applicants  as eligible  investments.   Property and/or shares  may only be resold  once under the Citizenship by Investment Programme.

3.  Effective 1st  April,  2020, creation of a third  pathway for applying   under the real  estate option where the full purchase price of a unit shall  be no less than US$200,000 (EC$540,000);

  

a.   Developers with existing inventory which may be sold at this price may utilize this pathway

b.   New developments where units are to be priced for this pathway may apply for designation as an approved real       estate development;

• Investment in Business – US$1,500,000.00 (Minimum)

A third option for citizenship is to invest in an approved business in Antigua and Barbuda with a minimum investment of US$1,500,000.00. In the event two or more investors wish to be joint partners in a business venture, the minimum investment required is US$5,000,000.00, with any one partner investing a minimum of US$400,000.00 in the business venture. More details on this option is available upon request.

Once a potential applicant has selected the preferred citizenship option that is best tailored to the applicant’s requirements, then the application process begins. 

WHAT IS CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT?

Citizenship by Investment is the granting of citizenship status to an individual (and immediate family members) contingent upon a specified and quantifiable investment in the country.

The USA, Canada, Australia, Austria, Switzerland and Great Britain are among the countries, which offer residency and a fast-track to citizenship to wealthy individuals for investment in their country.

However some of these other programs offered in the UK or Canada can prove to be time consuming and more expensive while essentially delivering the same benefits that can be provided by Antigua and Barbuda. Once you obtain citizenship by investment in most of these countries you are then folded into the country’s taxation system. With the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program, citizens may only be taxed on income and wealth derived and earned within the state of Antigua and Barbuda.

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program provides applicants with the ability to obtain citizenship while having the opportunity to invest into the development of our beautiful twin island state. A state where there is no death taxes, estate taxes or capital gains taxes.

WHY SECOND CITIZENSHIP?

The benefits of dual or multiple citizenship range from ease of movement where there is political strife in one’s own country and investment planning and personal security.
 

• Convenience: High net worth citizens of some countries spend considerable amounts of time obtaining visas from other countries. In addition to the time involved in the process, and the uncertainty, is the fact that some countries only offer single entry visas. Where travel may be required on short notice, access to another passport may be crucial such as in the case of civil unrest. Additionally, a second passport may afford the holder visa-free travel to jurisdictions not available to his or her country of birth.

• Personal Security: Citizenship and a passport from a small peaceful country is considered by some as a form of protection when traveling, particularly in times of political unrest, civil war, terrorism or other delicate situations. Many international business executives consider an alternative passport as the best life insurance.

 
 

• Investment in the Future: In a dynamic political and economic environment, acquiring a second citizenship may be considered an investment for the future and in many instances, there is no need to give up one’s present nationality while one, along with his family, enjoys the benefits of a legal second passport.

BENEFITS

 

Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program is a recently established program since October 2013. Antigua and Barbuda is implementing this program to attract investors of good character to make a substantial contribution to the development of this beautiful twin island state.

As a potential applicant for citizenship, an investor is given the opportunity to apply for economic citizenship and a passport under the terms of the Citizenship by Investment Act and additional guidelines provided by the Citizenship by Investment Unit and within the strict legal and regulatory regimes.

Main Benefits:

1. DUAL CITIZENSHIP: Once a Citizen of Antigua & Barbuda you are allowed to have dual citizenship. So you can enjoy the benefits and advantages of being part of the citizenship by investment program without having to renounce your existing citizenship.

2. VISA FREE TRAVEL: Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are free to travel to approximately 165 jurisdictions worldwide without a visa, these include countries such as Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain and the UK.

3. TAX ADVANTAGES: There will be certain tax benefits for Antigua and Barbuda citizens approved under this program. For example there will be no Personal Income Tax (PIT) charged on income derived outside Antigua and Barbuda, no high net worth tax, no gift tax or estate duty tax, and no capital gains tax. Please contact us directly for more details on the tax advantages of Antiguan citizenship.

4. LIFESTYLE: Any applicant will have the ability to spend as much time in Antigua & Barbuda as they wish. Whether it be enjoying one of the 365 beaches dotted across this island paradise or sailing along the coast, snorkeling, diving or just having lunch at one of the 5 star resorts or boutique beachfront restaurants. A stress free life style while enjoying the most comfortable climate where the sun shines every day.

5. EDUCATION: The education system in Antigua and Barbuda is considered to be of a high quality since Antiguan students attending University in the U.S., Canada and Europe have consistently performed in the top five percent of their classes and programs. There are additional benefits for students from certain countries applying to attend University in the U.S, Canada or Europe applying under their new Antigua citizenship and passports.