If you wish to spend your weekend beside crystal clear waters and white and pink sand beaches, Antigua and Barbuda are the places for you. It is one of the most attractive islands in the Caribbean, with attractive citizenship programs for you to be a part of.
It offers unique opportunities for investors looking forward to investment opportunities, businessmen wanting to expand their businesses, or even people who are simply looking for a stable and safe second home in which to spend their retirement years.
Let us explore the perks and benefits of obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship and also if you’d be an eligible applicant to apply for the same. Read on.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program
Launched in 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program was established to promote foreign investment in the nation. It is a unique opportunity that caters to high-net-worth individuals, and in turn, it provides them with benefits like visa-free travel, tax benefits, and a second home in a stable economy, provided that the applicant is eligible to be a part of the country.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship extends various investment options for investors throughout the world. One needs to make a monetary contribution towards the National Development Fund, make a business investment, or invest in real estate. We’ll read more about this in the sections below. For now, you can read more about the application process for Antigua’s citizenship & passport program on Global Residence Index.
Benefits of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship
Antigua offers more than just free travel and tax benefits; find out below:
Global Mobility
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship gives you visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries worldwide, including the Schengen area, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Tax Benefits
While Antigua can not be called a tax haven, the country does not impose taxes on inheritance, personal income, wealth, or capital gains. You can learn more about other tax benefits or taxable income via our team at Global Residence Index, eager to help you every step of this journey.
Cost of Living
As a country that depends on the tourism industry, Antigua and Barbuda still have a low cost of living. While you may not call it the most affordable one, you can live comfortably here.
Safe Second Home
Antigua and Barbuda are considered to be among the safest countries in the Caribbean. They have relatively low crime rates, and their political stability adds to their appeal. If you are looking forward to a safe and secure future, Antigua could be your best option.
Quality Education
Antigua and Barbuda has a literacy rate of 99%. Its education system is free and compulsory for children aged 5 to 16. Furthermore, the country plans to expand and improve its education sector even more in the coming years.
Dual Citizenship
You won’t need to get rid of your home country’s passport if you want to live in Antigua because it legally recognizes dual citizenship.
Investment Options
Here are the various investment options Antigua extends:
National Development Fund Contribution
Under this, you can make a minimum, non-refundable investment of $100,000 towards the National Development Fund for the purpose of national development and encouraging public projects.
Real Estate Investment
You can even go for a real estate investment. The minimum investment should be $200,000 towards a government-approved property. One must also ensure that the property is held for at least a period of 5 years before it can be sold off.
Business Investment
You will need to make a minimum investment of $400,000 towards a government-sanctioned business. If there are multiple investors collaborating in the same business, each of them must contribute at least $400,000, ensuring that the total investment amounts to $5 million.
University of the West Indies
You can also donate to the education sector, i.e., the University of the West Indies Fund. The contribution starts at $150,000 for a single applicant and covers one of the family member’s tuition fees for one semester.
Eligibility Criteria
You can avail of all of these only if you are an eligible applicant applying for citizenship. Here are the eligibility requirements to find out if you are eligible for the program.
- The applicant should be 18 years of age.
- The applicant should not have any criminal records.
For the Inclusion of dependent family members
- Dependent Children: those that are financially dependent on the main applicant, aged 0-30.
- Dependent Parents: Parents aged 55 or above who are fully supported or live with the main applicant.
- Dependant Siblings: Unmarried siblings of the spouse or the main applicant who do not have any children and are supported by the main applicant.
Conclusion
All applicants, along with their dependents, must pass the due diligence checks to ensure transparency and easy access to the citizenship program. The amounts mentioned, however, may vary depending on fees and processing charges.
You must also ensure that you are aware of the recent updates to the citizenship programs of the said country or any changes to the tax regulations so you can make better decisions for yourself. You may also consult our expert team at Global Residence Index, we are always eager to help you with the process, supporting you at every step of your journey.