How to Get Citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda: A Complete Guide
With its pristine sandy beaches and crystal clear water, Antigua and Barbuda, the twin-island country in the Caribbean is steadily emerging as the global destination for people seeking for a second passport. This country has amazing beaches, good legislation on taxes, and a lot of opportunities for investors and businessmen, in addition, there are several options to get a residence permit.
The most well-known route is the Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program, which targets high net worth individuals who want to improve their ability to travel around the world, manage their taxes, and live their lives. In this guide you will find the details of the possibility to get citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, and the opportunities that are opened together with the CBI program for those who is interested.
Why Choose Antigua and Barbuda for Citizenship?
Antigua and Barbuda is not only a beautiful island country that attracts tourists. It is rational for individuals seeking to advance their visa-free travels across the world, use tax havens to secure their money, and enjoy a less stressful way of life. Having a second passport from Antigua and Barbuda, you can visit more than 150 countries including United Kingdom, countries within the Schengen area, Hong Kong, and Singapore without visa. Also, there are no taxes on capital gains, inheritance or on income earned globally, which can always be a bonus for those investing.
It also has a few avenues through which people can become citizens, which makes it easy for anyone with interest in investing, family ties or even long term stay to become a citizen of the nation. The most used route by a long shot though is the Citizenship by Investment programme which has revolutionised the industry since it began in 2013.
It is high time to look at the various ways of acquiring citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda in more detail.
Pathways to Citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda
Citizenship by Investment (CBI) in Antigua and Barbuda
CBI has four main products in its investment portfolio, thus targeting a variety of investors with various objectives. This is a mandatory contribution to the National Development Fund, and such an application must meet a minimum of USD 230, 000 for a single applicant or a family of four. allows individuals to gain citizenship by making a financial contribution to the country. It’s especially attractive for high-net-worth individuals looking for a second passport without having to live in the country long-term
There are four main investment options under the CBI program, catering to different types of investors and their goals.
National Development Fund (NDF):
- This is a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund, with a minimum requirement of USD 230,000 for a single applicant or a family of four. This method is the easiest and cheapest way of getting the citizenship of a country through investment. It is ideal for people who wish to contribute their money directly without going into real estate or business.
Real Estate Investment:
- For the purpose of purchasing property the minimum capital investment is USD 300,000 in an approved real estate project. Proved real estate project. This option not only provides citizenship but also the possibility to receive money on the property’s appreciation and rent or sell the house. The property owner is also restricted by the use of the property; the property must be sold at least five years after it was purchased. There are private investors who wish to invest or contribute to a business; they can decide to invest at least USD 1.5 million in a qualifying business. option not only grants citizenship but also offers the potential for real estate appreciation and income through renting or selling property. The property must be held for at least five years before it can be sold.
Business Investment:
- Investors interested in starting or contributing to a business can choose to make a minimum investment of USD 1.5 million in a qualifying business. However, there is also a possibility of two or more investors investing together for a minimum of USD 400,000 and a total of at least USD 5 million. This option is especially suitable for those who would want to increase the Company’s market presence in the Caribbean region. This option attracts a fee of USD 150,000 for families of six and above. Requirement is USD 200,000 in an approved real estate project. This option not only grants citizenship but also offers the potential for real estate appreciation and income through renting or selling property. The property must be held for at least five years before it can be sold.
University of the West Indies Fund:
- This option requires a contribution of USD 260,000 for families of six or more. A special advantage of this option is that a family receives one-year free education at the University of the West Indies for one member, and the option will be interesting for families willing to invest in education and citizenship at the same time.
Key Benefits of Citizenship by Investment
The CBI program has the following benefits and that is why the program is attractive for investors globally.
Visa-Free Travel: This program offers Antigua and Barbuda citizens visa-free or visa on arrival to over one hundred and fifty countries of the world with preferred zones of the Caribbean, Europe including the United Kingdom, the Schengen countries within Europe, Asia which includes Hong Kong, Singapore and other zones in the world. This level of mobility is especially rewarding in global travels for the frequent travellers.
Tax Benefits: Antigua and Barbuda do not have taxes on capital gains, inheritance or on income from all over the world. This tax friendly environment is often a massive benefit for anyone looking to preserve and accumulate wealth.
Family Inclusion: For the CBI program, the applicant can include a spouse, children, and even parents as part of the application. This is because everyone in your family will be able to enjoy the benefits that comes with citizenship which makes it suitable for all those wishing to ensure that they improve on the lives of their loved ones.
Minimal Residency Requirements: Unlike many other countries with such programs Antigua and Barbuda for instance only demands that you spend 5 days physically in the country in a 5-year period to retain your citizenship. This is especially good news for those who cannot move to the country but want to have all the rights of citizens.
How Long Does the Process Take?
The CBI program does not take long to process, and it can take between 3 to 6 months for the application to be processed. Taking into consideration the speed and the number of advantages this program is easy to understand why it has gained such popularity among the investors.
Citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda by Naturalization
If you are thinking of making Antigua and Barbuda your home and you meet the requirements, naturalization is for you. This rout is for those who have acquired the settlement in the country, they permanently reside in the country with specific years of stay.
Eligibility: To apply for the citizenship through naturalization you must have legally resided in Antigua and Barbuda for a minimum of seven years. Also, you must be a permanent resident of the country in which you are applying to study. Applicants must also clear an FBI check and demonstrate that they hold good moral character and are loyal to America.
Process: To naturalize, one has to fill a form and file it to the government authorities, attach evidence of residency and other materials. Sometimes there is a need for an applicant to undergo an interview. What is worth to emphasize is that these are the long-term plans for living in Antigua and Barbuda, so it can be considered as the long-term accommodation option for the people who want to build their life in the country.
Citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Descent
If you have family roots in Antigua and Barbuda, then the descent option is probably the simplest and quickest to navigate. This option is offered to persons born outside Antigua and Barbuda but have any least one parent having Antigua and Barbuda nationality.
Eligibility: Applicants who seek this kind of citizenship should be able to prove that either of the parents was an Antigua and Barbuda citizen. That can be birth certificates, passports or any other document that indicates your parent’s status as a citizen of the country in question.
Process: After assembling the required documents you will process them to the correct department of the government of Antigua and Barbuda. The time taken in citizenship by descent will depend on the accuracy and availability of documents and usually will take a few months.
Citizenship by Marriage
Another way is marriage to a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda as well as owning property in the country. This route is for people that are married to an Antigua and Barbuda citizen and have been residing in the country for some time.
Eligibility: If you want to be granted citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda by marriage, you must have lived in Antigua and Barbuda for 3 years following your marriage. The marriage must be legally valid, and you will have to show that you are married, for instance, through a marriage certificate, and have cohabited, for instance, through joint bank accounts or property.
Process: Once you fulfil the residency test you can apply for citizenship by filling a form, a copy of your marriage certificate and any other documents supporting your application. It also entails premarital investigation to confirm the authenticity of the marriage as well as security clearance test.
Special Considerations for citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda have multiple options for obtaining second citizenship, but there are few things to consider when choosing the right one.
Dual Citizenship
The beautiful thing about Antigua and Barbuda is that it accepts dual citizenship. This means that when you become a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, you don’t have to relinquish your primary nationality. To have the two seems to be advantageous and more flexible especially if the home country also has the provisions for this.
Physical presence requirements
I already pointed out that the physical presence requirement for the CBI program is extremely low – five days in five years. This is a big plus for those people who do not like the idea of relocating. But if you are applying for citizenship through naturalization or marriage, the rules are even more rigid because you have to live in the country for a number of years before applying.
Processing Times
- CBI Applications: These normally last between 3 to 6 months to process and therefore is the fastest way to become a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda.
- Naturalization and Marriage: These pathways take longer because they have a residency period before one can apply. For example, naturalization can take years to be done and completed.
Comparing Citizenship Pathways
Here’s a quick comparison of the different routes to citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda:
- CBI vs. Naturalization: The CBI program grants citizenship within a short period and with limited residency conditions to be met on the applicant’s part. For instance, naturalisation is a permanent process of legal integration into the society and should be used by persons, who intend to stay in Antigua and Barbuda for an indefinite time. You cannot apply for it until you have been a resident in the country for seven years.
- CBI vs. Citizenship by Marriage: Although, both the CBI program and citizenship by marriage provide the same rights, the procedures involved are different. For example, the CBI program is much faster, with almost no residency requirements, whereas naturalization through marriage requires the person to live within the country for at least three years after marriage.
- Citizenship by Descent: This is the least complicated of all, but the program is only open to persons of Antiguan and Barbudan descent. It also makes a lot of economic sense since there are no need for investment or residency. The only drawback is that you will need to provide official documents that would prove that you are related to the people mentioned in the application.
Conclusion: Which Pathway to citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda is Right for You?
Antigua and Barbuda provide many ways to obtain the citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, and the best for you will depend upon your personal and economic conditions. If you’re an investor and you want a quick and easy solution, I would have to say that the program in question is the Citizenship by Investment. It processes the applications faster, has little residency criteria, and allows investing in several ways, from donation to real estate. Citizenship by descent is therefore the most convenient and cheapest way for those with relatives in the country. For those, who wants to stay in Antigua and Barbuda permanently, naturalization or immigration by marriage may suit better.
Depending on the chosen variant, the acquisition of citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda allows you to use all the opportunities – visa-free travel, mobility, and financial freedom. The simplicity of the political, the stable economy, friendly tax laws and regional location also recommends the country for anyone interested in obtaining a second citizenship.
