TIMSON Immigration
Antigua & Barbuda -  Citizenship by Investment Program
 
1. Legal Basis
 
In March 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) (Amendments) Regulations 2013 was approved by the Antigua and Barbuda Congress after the government proposed the drafts and seek the opinions throughout the country.
 
According by the Section 6 of the Citizenship by Investment Act, the government could operate the CIP program to attract persons with high qualities and bring significant direct investments to boost local economic and the investors could apply for citizenship and passports of Antigua and Barbuda.
 
The Citizenship by Investment Program has been revised several times since its initial implementation.
 
The applicant may apply together with the following dependents:
 
  • Spouse;
  • Children of the principal applicant, or of his or her spouse, who are between 0 - 30 years old and are financially dependent on the main applicant;
  • Children of the principal applicant, or of his or her spouse, who are aged 18 years or older but are physically or mentally handicapped and are living with and are fully supported by the principal applicant;
  • Parents or grandparents of the principal applicant, or of his or her spouse, who are 55 years of age or older and are financially dependent on the principal applicant.
  • Siblings of the principal applicant, or of his or her spouse, if unmarried;
 
2. Requirements
 
To qualify for the Citizenship by Investment Program, the applicant shall:
 
  • be at least 18 years old;
  • have no criminal records;
  • pass the due diligence check conducted by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda;
  • be healthy; and
  • complete the required investment.
 
3. Investment Options
 
          Investors can choose one of the following investment options:
 
(1)   Real Estate Option
 
The applicant shall invest in an approved real estate project with the purchase consideration of not less than USD 400,000 and hold the real estate for at least 5 years. In addition, certain taxes and other costs shall be payable upon the applicant’s investment in a real estate project.
 
The applicant should pay the Government Processing Fee as follows:
 
  • Individual applicant or a family of up to Four persons: US$ 30,000
  • Additional dependent: US$ 15,000 for each
 
Two applications from related parties can make a joint investment of US$400,000, with each applicant investing a minimum of US$200,000 in order to qualify. All processing and due diligence fees remain unchanged. 
 
(2)   National Development fund (NDF) 

       The applicant shall donate to the National Development Fund as follow:
 
  • Individual application: US $100,000
  • Family application:
    • A family of four: US$ 100,000
    • Family of five or over: US$ 125,000
 
The applicant shall pay application fees as follow:
  • A family of four: US$ 30,000
  • Additional dependent: US$ 15,000
 
The above donation arrangement takes effect from November 1, 2017.
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(3)   Business investment
 
An investment of a minimum of USD 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 totaling at least USD 5,000,000 and each of those persons individually invests at least USD 400,000.

The applicant shall pay application fees as follow:
  • A family of four: US$50,000
  • Additional dependent: US$ 15,000
 
(4)   University of the West Indies Fund Option
 
The applicant (family of not less than 6 persons) shall make contributions to the University of the West Indies Fund as below:
 
For a family of 6:
  • Contribution: US$150,000 (inclusive of government processing fees)
 
Family of 7 or more:
  • Contribution: US$150,000
  • Processing Fees: US$15,000 for each additional dependent
 
4.  Government Fees
 
(1)   Government Due Diligence Fee:
  • Applicant: US$ 7,500
  • Spouse: US$ 7,500
  • Each dependent child aged 12-17: US$ 2,000
  • Each dependent aged 18 years and above& each dependent parent aged 55 and over: US$ 4,000
 
(2)   Passport Fee: US$ 300/each
 
5. Procedures and schedules
 
The documents and information requirements of the Citizenship by Investment Program of Antigua and Barbuda are quite reasonable and application procedures are very straight forward, no interview is required. Applications through the donation route can be approved in 3 to 6 months. However, applications through the real estate route can take 4 to 8 months before approval is obtained because the real estate route involves purchasing properties, which requires more paperwork. In addition, most investors would usually visit the country first before deciding to purchase real estates, and thus more the processing time is required.
 
The applicant will receive a Certificate of Naturalization and a passport upon formal approval and will need to take an oath in Antigua within the first 5 years after obtaining the passport.
 
6. Residency requirements
 
Upon formal approval, the applicant and his/her dependants will be granted passports of Antigua and Barbuda with a validity period of 5 years. However, they have to stay for at least 5 days in total in the country within the first 5 years’ period after obtaining their passports.
 
7. Advantages of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship
 
(1) Short processing time: passports can be issued 3-6 months after submission the application;
(2) Low entry requirements: no language, education, funding and business experiences are required;
(3) Four generations immigration: the applicant together with his/her spouse, their children and parents and grandparents can obtain citizenship and passports of Antigua and Barbuda through one application;
(4) Visa-free travel access to approximately 165 countries/regions: successful applicants and their dependents can enjoy visa-free travel access to approximately 165 countries/regions worldwide, including the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Macau and EU Schengen countries without visa for up to 90 day stay period;
(5) Low tax regimes: there is no exchange controls, personal income tax, corporate income tax, value added tax or inheritance tax in Antigua and Barbuda. Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are not required to pay tax on their income, interest, gifts, assets and inheritances obtained overseas;
(6) Multiple citizenships allowed: dual and multiple citizenships are legally recognized in Antigua and Barbuda.
 
 
 
Note: This document is for reference only, all terms are subject to written contract.