The 4 Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Pathways

Have you considered acquiring a second citizenship or a second passport? You can do this easily and reasonably quickly through one of the available Caribbean citizenship by investment programs.

The Antigua & Barbuda citizenship by investment program, spearheaded by the country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), is one of your options. CIU offers four investment pathways.

1. National Development Fund (NDF)

The National Development Fund helps finance government projects. You can contribute or donate a minimum amount to it and use that as your basis for your citizenship by investment application.

• Investment amount: A non-refundable contribution of $100,000 is required for solo applicants or a family of up to four members. A family of five or more must contribute $125,000.
• Processing fees: The government charges $30,000 for every application, whether for a solo applicant or a family of up to four members. There’s an additional $15,000 charge per person for the fifth member and beyond.
• Due diligence fees: Due diligence fees are incurred on a per-person basis. It’s $7,500 each for the principal applicant and spouse, $2,000 per dependent 12-17 years old, and $4,000 per dependent 18 years and older.
• Other fees: Additional costs may include fees for legal services, passport fees, and other administrative expenses associated with your application.

1. Real Estate

Instead of contributing money to the NDF, you can buy real estate. It costs more than the NDF contribution option, but your investment buys you equity. Moreover, investing in real estate offers potential economic returns through property appreciation and rental income.

• Investment amount: You must buy real estate worth at least $400,000. Alternatively, you can split the cost with another applicant; each applicant must contribute at least $200,000 to the purchase price. Finally, you may invest at least $200,000 in an approved real estate project.
• Holding period: You cannot sell the property you purchased or your stake in a real estate project for at least five years from the date you acquired citizenship unless you’re replacing it with another approved real estate property.
• Government fees: Every application has a corresponding processing fee of $30,000. If your application is for a family of five or more, the processing fee is $30,000 plus $15,000 per person for the fifth and subsequent family members.
• Due diligence fees: Due diligence fees are incurred on a per-person basis. It’s $7,500 each for the principal applicant and spouse, $2,000 per dependent 12-17 years old, and $4,000 per dependent 18 years and older.
• Other fees: You have to pay for passport fees and may also have to pay for legal services and other administrative expenses.

1. Business Investment

If you don’t want to buy real estate, you can invest in an approved business in Antigua & Barbuda. This is a good option because it can lead to business income.

• Investment amount: You can invest in an approved business. An individual must invest at least $1.5 million. Or you can set up an approved business with at least one other person. In the latter case, the investment must be $5 million or more, with every co-investor contributing at least $400,000 to the fund.
• Approval: The CIU recommends businesses for approval to the Cabinet. Only upon business investment approval can the investment be used as a basis for your citizenship application.
• Government fees: Individual applicants pay $30,000. Families of up to 4 members also pay $30,000. Family applicants pay $15,000 per person for the fifth and subsequent members.
• Due diligence fees: The principal applicant and spouse each pay $7,500 in due diligence fees. You pay $2,000 for every dependent 12-17 years old and $4,000 for every dependent 18 years and older.
• Other fees: You pay for passport fees and may incur additional costs in legal services and other administrative expenses.

1. University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund

The University of the West Indies Fund helps finance the University of the West Indies (UWI). Contributing to the UWI Fund is a good option for family applicants. It offers excellent value for money because your contribution is good for six persons.

• Investment amount: You must contribute $150,000 to the UWI Fund to be considered for this citizenship by investment route. That amount covers the application of a family with at least six members, including the principal applicant and dependents (e.g., spouse, children, elderly parents).
• Minimum of six persons: The UWI Fund route requires that applications include at least six persons. There is no additional contribution for families of seven or more members.
• Distinct benefit: Families approved for citizenship via the UWI Fund investment route get an additional benefit. A family member can study tuition-free at the University of the West Indies for one year.
• Government fees: There’s a $30,000 processing fee for a family of six members and an additional $15,000 for every person beyond the six family members.
• Due diligence fees: Due diligence fees are $7,500 each for the principal applicant and the spouse, $2,000 for dependents 17 years and younger, and $4,000 for dependents 18 years and older.
• Other fees: Other fees include passport, legal services, and administrative costs.

Become an Antigua & Barbuda Citizen

Antigua & Barbuda offers four citizenship by investment options. Choose the investment pathway that suits you best. Once approved, pack your bags and a straw hat and travel to Antigua & Barbuda. Remember: you must spend at least five days in the country within five years of becoming a citizen. Otherwise, you could forfeit your citizenship.