Did you know that you can earn Antigua citizenship by investing in Antigua and Barbuda? If you are considering dual or a second citizenship, consider making Antigua and Barbuda one of your options. There’s a lot that recommends this country’s citizenship by investment program.
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Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda is an independent nation-state located in the Eastern Caribbean, about a thousand miles east of Jamaica and around five hundred miles northeast of the island country of Trinidad and Tobago. Antigua, Barbuda, and a few lesser islands comprise this country.
The Fascinating Antigua and Barbuda Government
Antigua and Barbuda was a British colony, but it has been fully independent since 1981. It is a member-state of the United Nations, the Caribbean Community, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Organization of American States.
It is a constitutional monarchy, and while it is a fully independent state, the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, is the queen of Antigua and Barbuda and its head of state.
Queen Elizabeth II appoints the country’s Governor-General, who serves as the Queen’s representative, and the Queen chooses him upon the recommendation of the country’s ministers. Antigua and Barbuda, however, also has a head of government, the Prime Minister.
To encourage an inflow of foreign investments into the country, the government of Antigua and Barbuda implemented its citizenship by investment initiative.
Antigua Citizenship by Investment Initiative
There are three primary citizenship by investment routes in Antigua and Barbuda.
1. Government Donation
You can make a U.S. $100,000 donation to the National Development Fund with your citizenship application. This is a good option if your only goal for the investment is to gain Antigua citizenship.
You can also make a U.S. $150,000 donation to the University of West Indies Fund. Like the above, this option works great if your main goal is to gain a second citizenship for you and your family.
This second option is better than an NDF donation for a family with six members. As an added perk, a family member gets a one-year, tuition-only scholarship at the University of the West Indies.
2. Real Estate Purchase
You can also buy real estate worth at least U.S. $400,000 in an area or project approved by the government for this purpose. If this amount is too much, you can pool your resources with another related person (perhaps a sibling) and make a joint investment.
In a joint investment, each of the principals must contribute at least U.S. $200,000. Your real estate purchase comes with a five-year resale restriction.
3. Business Investment
You can also make an outright business investment, in which case you have two options.
You, the principal applicant, can make an individual investment in an approved business of at least U.S. $1.5 million.
Alternatively, one or more persons can make a joint investment in an approved business. The total investment should be at least U.S. $5 million. Each of the principal applicants must contribute at least U.S. $400,000.
The Benefits of Antigua Citizenship
Even if you have the means to invest and the option to become an Antigua citizen through investment, why should you do it? Why consider Antigua citizenship when you can just come and visit?
There are several compelling reasons, actually.
1. A Wonderful Place to Live
Antigua and Barbuda is a terrific place to live. Like many other Caribbean states, it is beloved by many for its mild, tropical climate, abundant marine life, and gorgeous, sweeping landscapes.
Its marvelous beaches, some 365 of them including the stunning 11-mile beach in Barbuda, are awe-inspiring.
Another wonderful thing about Antigua and Barbuda is the country’s small size. Antigua is approximately 14 miles long and 11 miles wide. Exploring the island from one end to the other should be a pleasure, and living on such a tiny island should feel like an endless vacation.
And congestion should not be a problem. The whole country has a small population of around 100,000. But you will fit right in because it is a favorite among those seeking a second citizenship.
2. Your Passport to a Truly Nomadic Lifestyle
Get an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, get an Antigua and Barbuda passport. And this passport gives you visa-free access to 151 destinations, including all of Europe and the Caribbean.
With an Antigua and Barbuda passport, you can hop from one Caribbean destination to another. Or you can go to Europe instead. How about a slow crawl across all 151 destinations your passport gives you license to visit, visa-free, around the world?
3. Tax Breaks
Double taxation should not be an issue. Antigua and Barbuda will not tax you on income earned outside the country.
The country also doesn’t levy capital gains taxes. That’s great because you can sell your property, as long as you’re past the resale restriction, of course, without being charged a tax on any gains you make from the sale.
There are also no inheritance taxes, which is great for estate planning.
4. Make Money From Your Property Purchase
Antigua and Barbuda is popular among tourists. That means purchasing a property there is an actual investment in the sense that you can use it to generate revenue.
Ideally, you will live in the property you purchased. However, you will likely spend most of your time in your home country and only visit your Caribbean property from time to time.
However, since Antigua and Barbuda is popular among tourists, you can rent or lease out your property when you’re not using it and earn money from your investment. And at the end of your five-year resale restriction period, you can sell your property, probably for a greater amount than you paid for it.
5. Extend Citizenship Benefits to Family Members
Principal applicants for citizenship by investment can include their spouse, children 29 years old and below, and even dependent parents over 55 years old. Thus, a single investment will cover you and multiple family members.
6. Take the Oath of Allegiance Where Convenient
Antigua and Barbuda does not even require you to visit the country to confirm your citizenship and take your oath of allegiance.
You can go to an Antigua and Barbuda Embassy, High Commission, or Consular Office and fulfill your pledge of allegiance requirement there.
Live the Life you Want in the Caribbean and Beyond
Antigua and Barbuda, with its 365 beaches and impressive landscapes, is a gem in the Caribbean. Take advantage of its popularity among tourists.
Apply for its citizenship by investment program so you can buy real estate there, which you can live in or lease/rent out, while you enjoy a second passport that gives you visa-free entry to 151 destinations worldwide.
