Foreign investors seeking to obtain a second passport through Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program (CBI) need from 3 to 5 months to prepare the application, submit it to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), get a certification for naturalization and, as a result, Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship. Beneficiaries of the program do not need to renounce their original nationality, as, dual citizenship is permitted on these islands.
An Eastern Caribbean Island nation of Antigua and Barbuda takes its distinguished place in the investment migration market. Since 2013, the country has been offering economic citizenship to those foreigners, who are willing to invest in the country. Although, investors should comply a certain criterion and they are subject of a stringent due diligence and vetting procedures.
Antigua and Barbuda are famous for its magnificent 365 beaches and clean, turquoise waters – a true haven for recreation and tourism. A large part of the funds accumulated through the citizenship by investment program are directed to enhance the tourism infrastructure.
Remarkably, investors can not apply for the Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program directly, they need to do it through an authorized legal entity.
Family Inclusion
Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by Investment program allows main applicants to include their family members in the citizenship application. These can be a spouse, children below the age of 28 years old, parents/grandparents above the age of 55 years old and unmarried siblings of both – the main applicant and the spouse.
In case of application success, a second passport from Antigua and Barbuda will be granted to each individual included in the application, which greatly ease for them international travel by giving them visa-free access to more than 150 countries world-wide.
Application Process
All citizenship by investment applications are submitted for review to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), which is the official body to administer the CBI program.
Application processing can last from 3 to 5 months and while examining the application the CIU may request an interview with the applicant, if considered necessary.
As mentioned, applicants undergo stringent due diligence and background checks. Application will fail, if authorities reveal that the applicant provides false facts or omits any relevant facts in the application.
The CIU asks only reasonable documentations from CBI applicants and with the help of an authorized agent, the whole application process becomes easy and straightforward.
There might be some delays in issuing passports, if application is not submitted fully and properly.
After about 5 months from the application submission certificates of citizenship for all successful applicants are issued and they are granted Antigua and Barbuda’s passports.
Originally the Antigua and Barbuda legislation obliged economic citizens to spend at least five days in the country during the first five years of obtaining citizenship. But, due to the travel restrictions and global lockdowns caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, this requirement has been temporarily suspended until August 31, 2021.
If investor opts for a real estate option under the citizenship by investment program, then timeline of the application process may be different depending on the realty project. Applicants will need to get a specific documentation from the real estate developers and selecting the proper realty can drastically save time and energy of applicants.
Investment Options
Qualifying applicants have four different investment options:
- Donation of at least US $100,000 to the National Development Fund (NDF);
- Purchase of real estate, with value of at least US $400,000 or US $200,000, in case of joint investment;
- Investment in business of at least US $1,5 million;
- The contribution of at least US $150,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund.
Government fee for a family of four applying through donation option is US $25,000, thus making it one of the most affordable CBI programs globally. As per the investment option, the government fee equals to US $50,000 for the main applicant. Fees for each additional dependent are also implied varying from US $25,000 to US $50,000. Applicants have to also cover due diligence fees.
Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda Passport
Obtaining a second passport through Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by Investment program has many advantages. The program beneficiaries can travel visa-free to more than 150 countries world-wide, including: The European Schengen Area, the United Kingdom and Ireland, Brazil, Russia, Ukraine, Hong Kongor have entry restrictions or visa denial in the EU, the UK, the U.S.A. or Canada. and many other regional economic and financial hubs.
Notably, Antigua and Barbuda’s passport holders enjoy the easy process of obtaining a long-term visa to the USA and Canada.
Applicants are not required to have any managerial experience or language skills. They also do not have to give up the original nationality and keep their passports, as Antigua and Barbuda allows dual citizenship.
Actually, the Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program is the cheapest option among such program for the family of four seeking alternative citizenship and second passports.
The country has also very favorable taxation system, with no wealth or personal income taxes.
Requirements
In order to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda’s economic citizenship program, an applicant should be at least 18 years old, with a clean criminal record and a good health. They also have to pass due diligence procedures and not be in a sanctioned-lists or have entry restrictions or visa denial in the EU, the UK, the U.S.A. or Canada.
More than 3000 applications have been approved for the Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program, since its inception back in 2013. The program has spurred about half a billion of US dollars into the country’s economy and remains one of the primary sources for the government coffers.
Bayat Legal Services, a member of Bayat Group, as an authorized agent, is in a position to lead investors applying for a second passport through citizenship by investment program of Antigua and Barbuda. With almost three decades of experience and thousands of happy customers, Bayat Legal Services is the right choice for individuals seeking to enhance international mobility and to secure ‘Plan B’ in case of political, social or economic turmoil in their home countries.
Anyone can book a free consultation about Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program just by visiting the Bayat Group website (www.bayatgroup.com) and filling out a special requesting form.