Antigua and Barbuda lie in the eastern arc of the Leeward Islands of the Lesser Antilles, separating the Atlantic Ocean from the Caribbean Sea. The Antiguan coastline is peppered with numerous coves and bays, many with beautiful white sand beaches. Barbuda, a low-lying coral island located 32 miles North of Antigua is sparsely populated and encompasses an expansive lagoon, which is bound by a long undeveloped beach. This English-speaking nation has been a tourism hub in the Caribbean since the 1970’s. This West Indies tourist hub features some of the world’s best beaches. The Citizenship by Investment Programme was approved in 2013. With a new airport terminal opened in 2015 to accommodate the many daily flights from Europe and the Americas, tourism development is becoming the principal economy of the islands.

Early in 2013, the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda voted to establish a Citizenship by Investment Programme to spur growth in the islands. Antigua has long been an international hub for the West Indies and the new CIP is breathing life into the tourism and financial sectors.

Advantages of Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme:

• Extensive visa-free travel to 150+ countries.

• Quick processing: 3-6 months.

• Inclusion of dependent children under *28 years, and dependent parents or grandparents over 58 years.

• No taxes on international revenue, wealth or inheritance tax.

• Antigua is the first jurisdiction to formally offer Citizenship by Investment to Stateless persons.

• CIP investors can resell property to subsequent CIP applicants, whether in the form of share or unit, passing on the same rights to apply for citizenship.

• No requirement to travel to Antigua and Barbuda during the application process.

Investment Opportunities

In order to qualify for this programme, the investor makes a designated non-refundable donation to the government-controlled National Development Fund (NDF). This non-profit fund is subject to parliamentary oversight to allow for transparency and accountability and will also be audited by an internationally recognized accounting firm.

In order to qualify for this route, the investor makes a non-refundable investment, which varies depending on the number of applicants. The statutory application fees (i.e. due diligence and 10% of the government fee) are paid to the Citizenship by Investment Unit prior to submitting an application. Upon approval, the applicant transfers the investment funds contributing to the NDF, to the designated government account via the licensed Local Agent who submitted the application. The entire process takes 3 to 6 months to complete. Citizenship is granted, then.

NDF DONATION AMOUNTS

• Application Cost (family up to 4): US$ 100,000

• Family of 5 and more: US$ 125,000

PROCESSING FEES

• Up to 4 members: US$ 25,000

• Each additional dependant after the 3rd (family of 5 or more): US$ 15,000

ESTIMATE NDF QUOTATION FOR A FAMILY OF 4 (2 minors children = under 12)

• Contribution: US$ 100,000

• Due Diligence Investor: US$ 7,500

• Due Diligence Spouse: US$ 7,500

• Application Processing: US$ 30,000

• Due Diligence Cost Per Dependant 12-17: US$ 2,000

• Due Diligence Cost Per Dependant 18 and over: US$ 4,000

• Passport Fee Per Appliciant: US$ 300

To qualify, the investor must enter into contract to purchase real estate valued at US$ 400,000 or more on either Antigua or Barbuda. Two (2) applications from related parties can make a joint investment, with each applicant investing a minimum of US$ 200,000 in order to qualify.

Once the purchase contract has been signed and the developer has received his initial deposit (typically 10–20 percent), the investor may apply for citizenship. The real estate contract is contingent upon approval of the application.

The property may not be sold within five years from the grant of citizenship or citizenship can be revoked.

Real estate developments in Antigua & Barbuda cater to those investing through the Citizenship by Investment programme and make every effort to ensure ownership is a hassle-free experience.

ESTIMATE REAL ESTATE QUOTATION FOR A FAMILY OF 4 (2 minors = children under 12)

• Real Estate Purchase: US$ 400,000/US$ 200,000

• Due Diligence Investor: US$ 7,500

• Due Diligence Spouse: US$ 7,500

• Application Government Fees For A Single Applicant, Or Family Of 4 Or Less US$ 30,000

Antigua & Barbuda offers a third option of direct investment into an authorised business on the islands.

The required minimum investment levels are as follows:

• An individual makes an investment in an approved business of at least US$ 1,500,000 on their own behalf.

• A minimum of at least two individuals can make a joint investment in an approved business totalling at least US$ 5,000,000.

• Each investor is to contribute at least US$ 400,000 individually.

All potential investors are advised to contact the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA), through an authorised CIP agent to discuss the details of the proposed investment before initiating business.