Antigua and Barbuda is a British commonwealth nation in the Eastern Caribbean and one of the few countries to offer second passport programs, also known as citizenship by investment (CBI).
The country’s CBI program was launched in 2013 and has since become a popular choice among high-net-worth individuals looking for a tropical beach paradise with a thriving economy and direct access to the European and Caribbean markets and key Asian financial centers.
But is that all there is to this beautiful island state? If you’re considering Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program, here are some compelling reasons you should definitely go for it:
1. Visa-Free Access to Over 150 Countries
With an Antigua and Barbuda passport, you can book a private jet or hop on a commercial flight and make your way to over 150 countries and territories unencumbered by visa requirements.
You can enter the United Kingdom (where you can stay up to 180 days per year), Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea without a visa. You’ll also be able to travel to all 27 Schengen countries and stay for up to 90 days every six months.
2. Long-Term Visa to the United States
Securing a visa to the U.S. is no easy feat because of the country’s stringent eligibility criteria and lengthy application process. However, as an Antigua and Barbuda citizen, you can apply for a tourist B1/B2 visa under a simplified procedure plus a validity period of up to 10 years. This allows you to spend nearly six months a year in the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment.
3. Multiple Investment Options
Caribbean citizenship by investment programs differ in how much you must put in to secure your second passport. Antigua and Barbuda provides four options:
- A non-refundable donation of at least $100,000 to the National Development Fund. This route offers the lowest upfront cost.
- A non-refundable contribution of $150,000 to the University of the West Indies. This choice is best for a family of six people or more and entitles one person to a one-year tuition waiver to the same educational institution.
- A minimum of $200,000 real estate investment in a government-approved property. You need to hold the property for at least five years, after which you can sell it with no restrictions.
- A $1.5 million purchase of an approved business venture as a single investor. Alternatively, a group investment of $400,000 per person into a project totaling $5 million or more also qualifies.
4. Family-Oriented Program
One of the most enticing features of the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program is that it’s geared toward families. Your partner, financially dependent children under 30 years old, and parents over 55 can all be included in your application right along with you. You’ll also have five years from the date you obtain citizenship to add any new family members you want.
5. Fast Processing Times
Antigua and Barbuda has one of the speediest application processing times compared to other CBI programs. From the time you submit your application to the point where you’re holding your new passport, you’ll only have to wait three to six months.
Additionally, with the help of an experienced and reputable CBI agency like Citizens International, you don’t have to ever set foot on the island to invest, take the oath of allegiance or receive your passport. The entire process can be done remotely.
6. Tax Benefits
As a resident of this Caribbean nation, you won’t have to pay any income, inheritance, capital gains or wealth taxes. Here, there are also no taxes on individual royalties, dividends and interest.
And if you’re planning to register a corporation and operate it from Antigua and Barbuda, you’ll also enjoy a flat corporate tax of 25% with the possibility of even lower rates for specific industries. For example, corporate tax is only 10% for insurance, telecommunications, and oil companies and 22.5% for banks.
Moreover, the value-added tax (VAT) in Antigua and Barbuda is only 15%, with reduced rates of 14% for hotels and restaurants and 0% for fuel, food supply, electricity, and water for domestic use.
7. Profitable Real Estate Market
If you opt for the property investment route, you’ll be doubling your benefits by securing a second passport and an asset that you can rent out or sell for a profit.
Real estate prices on the island are currently quite reasonable. However, driven by a growing tourism sector and a track record of attracting foreign investments, property values consistently rise, delivering average annual yields between 2% and 5%.
Apply for the Antigua and Barbuda CBI Program
Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program offers you and your family a promising future in a nation renowned for its exceptional quality of life, stunning landscapes and booming business opportunities.
Seek the assistance of a prominent CBI agency to walk you through the application process and advise you on the best investment options for your unique needs and goals, and make your dream of getting a second citizenship a reality.
