Antigua and Barbuda

A twin-island country in the Americas which lies between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean and is made up of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, as well as a number of smaller islands. The governance, language, and culture of the country has been strongly influenced by the British Empire, of which the country was formerly a part.

Antigua & Barbuda is the ninth-largest country in the Caribbean and has a population of over 80,000 and was named by Christopher Columbus in 1493 in honor of the Virgin of La Antigua in the Seville Cathedral. It has also been nicknamed “Land of 365 Beaches” due to the many beaches surrounding the islands.

About Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship Program

The Antigua & Barbuda citizenship offers visa-free travel to more than 100 countries across the globe and becoming a part of their 80,000 populous is a straightforward process thanks to The Citizenship by Investment Programme which was established in 2012 and is regulated under the laws of the Citizenship by Investment Act. By far the most popular routes to acquire citizenship is through donation and real estate investment options.The country recognizes dual citizenship, which can prove advantageous for business expansion and tax relief. Other benefits include:

  • Three to four months to process applications.
  • Inclusion of dependent children under 26 and dependent parents or grandparents over 65.
  • No requirement to travel to Antigua & Barbuda during the application process.
  • No interview, education or managerial experience required.
  • Visa-free travel to more than 100 countries, including the Schengen zone, Canada, the U.K., Hong Kong, Singapore and more.
  • No tax on worldwide income.
Am I Eligible?

To qualify for citizenship applicants must fulfill at least one of the investment options below in addition to meeting the following criteria:

  • Be of outstanding character
  • Hold no criminal record
  • Have excellent health
  • Have a high personal net worth
  • Reside with the family members who are included in the application in the country for a minimum of 35 days within a period of five years

As of February 2016, Antigua & Barbuda is accepting Iranian applicants.

Investment Options

The government adopted the Citizenship by Investment Program as part of an effort to promote economic growth and increase direct investment to the country as well as attract developers to support the development of infrastructure and provide for a sustainable future. As a result, investors can choose from several options to qualify for the program.

National Development Fund Contribution or Charitable Donation

High net worth individuals may choose to make a monetary contribution of US$250,000 to the National Development Fund or an approved charity.

Real Estate Investment

Applicants may purchase property valued at a minimum of US$400,000 in a preapproved real estate development area and the investment must be maintained for a minimum of five years. Property registration, processing fees and taxes must be paid in addition to the property purchase.

Business Establishment

Applicants may invest US$1.5 million to establish a business. Two or more applicants may make a joint business investment with an individual threshold of at least US$400,000 and a total investment of at least US$5 million.

Facts
  • The country has estimated population of 81,000.
  • The capital of Antigua & Barbuda is St Johns.
  • The international airport in Antigua provides direct international flights to cities such as New York, Toronto, London and Miami, thus providing
  • direct access to international financial hubs.
  • The island is home to an international cricket stadium for the West Indies nation team.
  • The islands of Antigua & Barbuda currently are home to internationally recognized medical schools: The American University of Antigua and the
  • University of Health Science Antigua.
  • Antigua & Barbuda is a former British colony and a member of the Commonwealth Realm.