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Special features of obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program was launched in 2013. This program made it possible to obtain economic citizenship. It is one of the newest citizenship by investment programmes in the region and significantly differs from similar programmes offered by other Caribbean jurisdictions in some aspects.

In recent years, the tropical islands of Antigua and Barbuda have been attracting more and more tourists and fans of outdoor activities from all over the world. There are all the necessary elements for this popularity: wonderful rainforests, rugged volcanic landscapes, long sunny beaches and coral reefs that are perfect for fishing and diving.

The funds of foreign investors are spent on the development of tourism industry, construction of infrastructural facilities and charity donations. Antigua and Barbuda also attracts entrepreneurs because the islands offer a good environment for the registration and operation of international companies.

Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program

An Antigua and Barbuda passport is issued within a short period. The whole process takes 3 to 6 months from the date of application.
An investor does not need to learn a language or understand the history and culture of their second homeland in order to become a citizen.
All contacts with immigration authorities are made only through a law firm. It means that you can obtain a Caribbean passport without leaving your country.
New foreign nationals are not required to live as permanent residents in their second home country. If you don’t want to lose your citizenship, you need to spend only 5 days on the islands during the first 5 years after obtaining a passport.
The main applicant can include the whole family in the application for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program:

Spouse.
Minor children, adult children up to 30 years of age provided that they are financially dependent on their parents. Children can also be from previous marriages.
Parents/grandparents over 55 years old provided they are fully financially dependent on the main applicant.

Under the passport program, you can obtain passports for spouses, minor children and parents over 55 for an additional fee even after you have obtained Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment.

There are no laws banning multiple nationality. Information about your second citizenship is not shared anywhere, because the islands’ authorities guarantee foreign investors complete confidentiality.
Low cost of citizenship compared to the cost of obtaining EU citizenship and European passport.

Requirements for a foreign investor

The government of Antigua and Barbuda is interested in a foreign capital inflow, so minimum requirements are set for participants in the citizenship by investment program:

Main applicant must be 18 or older;
They must prepare evidence to demonstrate a legal source of money for making investments in order to obtain citizenship, pay all relevant fees, and support the whole family;
An investor and applicants over 12 must pass Due Diligence checks;
The main applicant and dependants must be in good health;
Clean criminal record.

4 investment options of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship

The main advantage of the citizenship by investment program is four investment options to obtain a Caribbean passport.

1. Donation to National Development Fund

Minimum investment – from $100,000

This option requires a donation to the National Development Fund, a non-profit organisation overseen by the Parliament. Funds are spent on state-controlled projects and donations.

Antigua and Barbuda has an advantage over other Caribbean countries. If you make the minimum donation of $100,000, you can include 3 more people in your application, such as your spouse and minor children. The state processing fee of $30,000 will remain unchanged. However, you will have to pay a little extra for Due Diligence checks.

If you apply for a second passport for a large family of 5 or more members, non-refundable donation to the fund will increase to $125,000, and the state processing fee will increase by $15,000 for each additional dependant.

The fee for Due Diligence checks is:

$7,500 for the main applicant;
$7,500 for a spouse;
$4,000 for each additional dependant;
$2,000 for minor children over 12.


Donation to the fund	$100,000	$100,000	$100,000	$125,000
Processing fees	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000	$45,000
Due Diligence checks	$7,500	$15,000	$17,000	$21,000
Total amount:	$137,500	$145,000	$147,000	$191,000

* For a family of 4 members, where there are 2 adults and their children aged 5 and 14.
** For a family of 5 members, where there is an investor, a spouse, one of their parents, 2 children aged 5 and 14.

A non-refundable donation to the National Development Fund of Antigua and Barbuda is one of the most advantageous citizenship by investment options for spouses with two minor children.

2. Investment in real estate of Antigua and Barbuda

Minimum investment – from $200,000

This option of obtaining an Antigua and Barbuda passport requires a purchase of an island property which costs at least $200,000. This property must be part of projects which are approved by the government from reliable developers. The amount which is necessary to invest in real estate does not depend on the number of applicants in an investor’s application. Additional fees are paid for application processing, Due Diligence checks and taxes.


Purchase of a property	$200,000	$200,000	$200,000	$200,000
Processing fees	$30,000	$30,000	$30,000	$45,000
Due Diligence checks	$7,500	$15,000	$17,000	$21,000
Total:	$237,500	$245,000	$247,000	$266,000

Government-approved projects usually include holiday resorts, high-end residential properties in prestigious locations and tourism infrastructure. $200,000 is enough to buy a share in a high-class hotel or spa under construction, so that later you can get a small but stable rental income through a management company. The property must be maintained for 5 years before it can be sold to recover investment.

3. Investment in business

Minimum investment – from $400,000

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program is an option for wealthy foreigners who are willing to invest in the islands’ economy, but also to earn money. Under this option, investments are made in a new or existing business approved by the authorities.

There are two options for investment in business:

One investor must invest $1,500,000 in an approved business project.
Two or more applicants must invest $400,000 or more, provided that the total capital investment of all participants is at least $5,000,000.

4. Contribution to the UWI Education Fund

Minimum investment – from $150,000

This investment option is only suitable for investors who are going to apply for citizenship for all members of their family consisted of 6 or more people.

If you want to obtain an economic citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda, you will need to make a one-time donation of at least $150,000 to one of the Caribbean’s oldest and most prestigious institutions of higher education, the University of West Indies. It makes one family member entitled to receive a one-year scholarship to the university.

What opportunities does an investor get with an Antigua and Barbuda passport?

Visa-free travel

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda can visit 151 countries around the world, including the UK, Singapore and EU countries, without a visa or with an entry permit upon arrival. This passport gives you an access to a 10-year business visa to the USA and a long-stay visa to Canada.

The head of Antigua and Barbuda is the Queen of the UK, and the Governor-General, appointed by the monarch, performs representative functions. Therefore, citizens of these islands can stay freely in the UK for up to 180 days per year and even have benefits for admission to the UK educational institutions. In EU member states of the Schengen Agreement, Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can stay for up to 90 days every six months.

Favourable taxation system

Tax residents of Antigua and Barbuda pay no tax on income earned both inside and outside the country. Zero rates are also set for taxes on wealth, inheritance and capital gains.

Opportunities for running a successful international business

The country has all the conditions for a successful business environment. There is a highly skilled workforce and a well-developed infrastructure on the islands. There is no taxation on company profits earned outside the islands. The procedure for registering an international business is simplified as much as possible. The Caribbean passport provides great opportunities to work with major banks of the UK, Europe and the USA.

High standard of living and economic stability

Antigua and Barbuda is one of the former British colonies in the Caribbean region. There was an economic growth and promising branches of the economy appeared after gaining sovereignty. As a result, the backward agrarian country has become a flourishing tourist region with tuition-free education, a well-developed healthcare system, three institutes of higher education, a relatively high standard of living for ordinary people and a low rate of street crime.

Nature of Antigua and Barbuda

During your 5-day residency on the islands, you will see an amazing place where you will live if you become a citizen. You may decide to stay longer. The unique island nature suits both fans of beach holidays and those who do not like to stay in one place for a long time, preferring hunting, fishing, diving and sailing.

Obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment with Imperial & Legal

In order to protect foreign investors from fraud, government officials consider applications for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment only through a third party, licensed agents. Imperial & Legal will help you to obtain a Caribbean passport safely and quickly in 5 steps.

Our immigration advisers say that standard application process usually takes from 3 to 4 months, but sometimes this process can take 6 months in case of unforeseen circumstances.

Book an appointment with our specialists

Timeframe: 1 day

A consultation with an Imperial & Legal specialist can be held either in our offices or remotely via phone/WhatsApp/Zoom/Skype. Our team will help you choose the best option for your investment and estimate the cost of obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship for you and your family.

After signing a client agreement, our advisers will examine a client’s situation in order to eliminate the chance of rejection and to present your individual circumstances in the most favourable light at the preliminary stage of preparation.

Prepare and send all forms and documents

Timeframe: 2 – 4 weeks

Our team will prepare all necessary documents which must be attached to the application for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment. All copies of documents must be notarised and legalised. All applicants must undergo a medical examination and submit the relevant certificates.

If you have chosen to invest in a property or business, Imperial & Legal’s advisers will find a suitable property, prepare a sales agreement and find a reliable management company on the islands.

Processing of application by Antigua and Barbuda’s Government

Timeframe: 3 – 4 months

You pay an administrative fee for the processing of an application and Due Diligence checks, then you and your dependants over the age of 12 undergo background checks and Antigua and Barbuda authorities make a decision on whether or not to give citizenship to the applicant.

Making an investment

Timeframe: up to 4 weeks

When Antigua and Barbuda’s department, which is responsible for investment immigration, notifies your advisers of a positive decision, you will need to invest in the chosen option.

Obtaining citizenship and an Antigua and Barbuda passport

Timeframe: 3 weeks

Antigua & Barbuda authorities will put you under oath during an online call and prepare a certificate of naturalisation for you after confirmation of the necessary investments in the country’s economy. Based on this document, Imperial & Legal’s advisers will make a request for Antigua & Barbuda passports.

After paying a passport fee, you can obtain your passports at our office, or we will courier them directly to your home.

Important questions about Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment

Why is it necessary for an investor to have due diligence checks and what exactly does an investor's impeccable reputation mean?

An offshore business has become a key source of tax revenue for Antigua and Barbuda after gaining sovereignty. As a result, this jurisdiction:

is constantly under pressure of the global community;
has to conduct due diligence checks on applicants for citizenship by investment.

An investor’s impeccable reputation means:

No criminal record for at least last 10 years and no criminal proceedings against an applicant.
The ability to prove a legal source of income and funds which will be spent directly on investment in the island economy.
No bans on entry to the countries of the European Union, the UK, the USA and Canada.

It is also undesirable to have refusals to enter those countries with which Antigua and Barbuda has signed visa-waiver agreements. On the other hand, it is no secret that people invest in a second passport when they cannot obtain a visa for a particular country without leaving home. It means that if you have been rejected in the past, do not give up on obtaining your Caribbean citizenship by investment, especially if you ask a good immigration adviser for help from the beginning.

How can I become a tax resident of Antigua and Barbuda in order to use many benefits?

If you want to be a tax resident, the easiest way to do it is to stay on one of the islands and spend there at least 183 days per year.

Why is the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program considered to be one of the most affordable in the Caribbean region?

According to Imperial & Legal’s immigration advisers, Antigua and Barbuda has the most attractive conditions for an investor and their family. If you plan to invest in the National Development Fund, citizenship of this jurisdiction for a family of 2 adults and 2 children will cost $100,000, excluding additional government fees.

The amount of an additional investment in a second passport depends on costs associated with dependants’ due diligence checks. You can find a cost table above. If you want to get a more accurate calculation, contact our experienced advisers at Imperial & Legal.

Whom can I include in my application for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in addition to my spouse and minor children?

You can apply for a second passport for adult children under 30 years of age if they are financially dependent on you, e.g. if they study on full-time basis at a university and cannot earn money themselves.

You can also include in the application: disabled children of any age, parents and grandparents of both spouses over 55 years old. Unmarried siblings of the main applicant or a spouse who are financially dependent on them can also obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport.

How much is a due diligence fee in Antigua and Barbuda?

It costs $7,500 for an investor to undergo a due diligence check. The same amount will need to be paid for a spouse or civil partner. The main applicant will pay $4,000 for each additional adult on their application. For a child aged 12-17 years old, the island authorities will charge $2,000 for a due diligence check. Children under the age of 12 do not have to undergo a due diligence check.

What does the time frame of obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment depend on?

The department which is responsible for the investment programme is interested in attracting as many reputable foreign investors as possible. Therefore, if the information that you provide does not lead to a definite rejection, but at the same time does not give a comprehensive picture and backgrounds of an investor and their dependants, a decision-making official will send requests for more information.

In order to accelerate the process of obtaining a second passport, you should gather all the necessary documents and fill out correctly a citizenship application form. As a rule, Antigua and Barbuda’s authorities do not accept applications directly. The responsibility for success and speed of obtaining a Caribbean passport lies on the shoulders of the intermediary law firm.

What are the criteria of choosing an agent company for obtaining Caribbean citizenship by investment?

The key criterion, in our view, is a long-term experience of successfully solving similar issues and, as a consequence, a good reputation of the company on the market. The second most important criterion is multitasking. You can be helped with choosing a management company if you decide to invest in real property, or with moving if you obtain a passport to settle in a foreign country. The third criterion is an individual approach to each client and unique solutions that are perfectly suited to each particular case.

Imperial & Legal meets all three criteria perfectly. Our experts have been helping wealthy people to obtain a second citizenship quickly, without wasting time or money for many years.

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