Antigua & Barbuda is a famous Leeward Island in the Caribbean, known for its pristine beaches, crystal-blue waters, and celebrity vacationers. It’s also been, historically, a great place for offshore investment, a second passport, and citizenship by investment benefits.
Here’s why you should choose Antigua & Barbuda for your investments
For starters, Antigua & Barbuda is one of the largest islands in the Caribbean, and the largest English-speaking island in the Leeward Islands. It has a population of over 80,000 residents, giving it a vibrant economy and lots of potential investment opportunities. They also have a short application process that can be completed within three to four months, and will let you add dependent children (under 28) and parents (over 58).
There is no travel requirement to Antigua & Barbuda during your application period, and you will not have to do an interview, nor have education or managerial experience to get approved. With a second passport from Antigua & Barbuda, you are permitted to travel visa-free to over 100 countries, including the EU Shengen Zone and the UK. There is no tax on worldwide income in Antigua & Barbuda either.
Requirements to qualify for citizenship by investment in Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua & Barbuda established their citizenship by investment program in 2012, and it has been highly popular with investors every since. To qualify, you’ll need to:
- Have a clean bill of health.
- Have no previous criminal record.
- Prove a high personal net worth.
- Reside with any family members you choose to add to your application for a minimum of 5 days in a period of 5 years before applying.
There are citizenship by investment restrictions placed on anyone who was born in Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Somalia, Yemen, and North Korea. These restrictions do not apply, however, if you’ve resided for a period of ten years or greater in the US, UK, UAE, New Zealand, Australia, or Saudi Arabia.
Ways to invest in Antigua & Barbuda
The government of Antigua & Barbuda is very business-friendly, and looks at the citizen by investment program as a way to promote economic growth through foreign capital, as well as further the infrastructural development for the country, and create jobs. Here are the three main investments we can assist you with:
1. The National Development Fund Contribution (Charitable Donation)
For this option, individuals with a high net personal worth can make a one-time, charitable donation to the fund for an amount of $100,000. This grants you your secondary citizenship and passport without an active business investment in Antigua & Barbuda.
2. Investing in Real Estate
This is a common investment for people looking at obtaining a second citizenship and requires the purchase of any pre-approved (by the government) property development with a minimum value of $400,000. This amount doesn’t include processing fees and taxes, so it’s important to factor that into any pricing of your potential property investment.
Here are two real estate investments that have been vetted and approved for foreign investment. Keep in mind, that until October 31st, 2020, two applicants can make a joint investment of $200,000 each, as long as they are from related parties.
Half Moon Bay (Rosewood)
A truly beautiful and unique resort and residential community, Half Moon Bay makes for the perfect investment on the island of Antigua. It is a massive luxury resort property that is used mainly for vacation homes and as an upscale retirement community. It sits on 132 acres of land and is made up of 10 luxury estate parcels, adjacent to the existing Rosewood Residences and Rosewood Hotel at Half Moon Bay.
The project is a joint venture between Dutch design firm Studio Piet Boon and OBMI, one of the premier architectural outfits in the Caribbean. Half Moon Bay blends traditional Caribbean charm with modern, luxury amenities, and has a lot of potential for both residency or as an asset producing investment for the future.
Callaloo Cay
The luxury resort, Callaloo Cay, is a property managed by the world-class Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts group, as part of the Hilton family of brands. This resort has 95 guest rooms and 25 uniquely-branded villas. These include both waterfront suites, as well as hilltop housing that boasts unparalleled views of the sea, bay, and lush tropical surroundings. The investment portions of the property can be rented out as luxury vacation accommodations, or used as your full-time or part-time home. This is a 36-acre property located on prime beachfront in Antigua, and a really good investment for anyone looking to obtain a secondary citizenship.
3. Establishing a Business
If you would like to receive your citizenship by investment via owning a business in Antigua & Barbuda, you must invest a minimum of $1.5 million. Much like real estate, two or more applicants can make a joint investment as well, but the minimum per individual is a $400,000 investment, and the total has to amount to a minimum of $5 million.