About Antigua
Citizenship Program in Antigua and Barbuda
National Development Fund (NDF) Option
Real Estate Investment Option
Business Investment Option
Benefits of Obtaining Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment
List of Required Documents
Contact Us
Antigua and Barbuda is a beautiful tropical island country. Antigua the main island is 14 miles long and 11miles wide inhabited by approximately 100,000 friendly, welcoming people and in-circled by 365 white-sand beaches. Hotels dotting the shoreline serve as the engine of development, as do cruise ports that welcomed the largest vessels in the world. Each year hundreds of thousands of cruise passengers will disembark for a day to enjoy the all year-round temperatures ranging between low 70’s to high 80’s, shop and enjoy the beaches and many do return as overnights guests. Tourism has now replaced the sugarcane industry as is now the key driver of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and generates around 60% of the island’s income, with key target markets being the U.S., Canada and Europe. The range of cultural activities and experiences available in Antigua Barbuda has broaden in the last 20 years through the influx of Caribbean people from other islands notably Jamaica, Guyana, Dominica, Dominican Republic and Montserrat. In addition, there has been major growth in the Lebanese, Syrian, Asian, North American and European segments of the population but these migrants are more active in the economic life of the country than in its popular culture.
Antigua and Barbuda is a part of the Leeward Islands in the lesser Antilles its history goes back thousands of years and 1981 it became an independent member state of the Commonwealth as well as a member of the United Nations, Caricom and the Organization of American States among many other international organizations.
Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy, its systems of Government are predominantly patterned off the British system – the parliament, the Cabinet and the Courts. The London based Privy Council is the Country’s final Appellate Court. English is the official language in the country. There is an international airport with daily direct flights to and from Antigua to London, New York, Miami, Toronto and Latin America via Trinidad.
Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the United Nations, the British Commonwealth, Caricom and the Organisation of American States (OAS) among many other international organisations. Holders of the Antigua and Barbuda passport enjoy visa free travel to approximately 150 countries, including the U.K. and the countries of the Schengen area.
The Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) requires a person to make a significant economic contribution to the Country. In exchange, and subject to stringent application procedures, including thorough background checks, the applicants and their families are granted citizenship. To qualify for citizenship, the primary applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements and select one of the following three investment options:
- A contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) of a minimum non-refundable amount of USD 100,000. (Note: Until 31st October 2019, there is a Limited Time Offer (LTO); The threshold for the National Development Fund (NDF) option has been reduced by %50; from US$200,000 to US$100,000 for a family of up to four persons, and from US$250,000 to US$125,000 for a family of five and over). **
- The purchase of real estate with a value of at least USD 400,000 from an approved real estate project and to be held for a minimum period of 5 years. (Note: Until 31st October 2019, there is a Limited Time Offer (LTO); 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).
- The direct purchase of an eligible business for a minimum amount of USD 1.5 million as an individual. Alternatively, a joint purchase where each person contributes at least USD 400,000, totaling a minimum of USD 5,000,000.
Table 1 Schedule of National Development Fund (NDF)
| Amount of Economic Contribution | Government Processing Fee | Number of Applicant and Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| USD 100,000 | USD 25,000 | Single Applicant to a Family of Four |
| USD 125,000 | USD 15,000 for each additional dependent | Family of Five or More |
In addition, the following charges will apply for all investment options:
Due Diligence Fees (USD):
- USD 7,500 – Main Applicant
- USD 7,500 – Spouse
- USD 4,000 – Dependents over 17
- USD 2,000 – Dependents between 12-17
Passport Fees (USD):
- USD 300 – Each family member
NOTE: Additional charges apply, and all fees are subject to change at any time without notice. Consultation Fee is depending on the number of applicants which is not included on the above schedule of payment.
To qualify for citizenship under the real estate option, the government requires applicants to make an investment in designated, officially approved real estate with a value of at least USD 400,000 plus the payment of government processing fees and due diligence fees.
Table 2 Schedule of Real Estate Investment
| Minimum Amount of Investment | Government Processing Fee | Number of Applicant and Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| USD 400,000 | USD 50,000 | Single Applicant to a Family of Four |
| USD 400,000 | USD 15,000 for each additional dependent | Family of Five or More |
In addition, the following charges will apply for all investment options:
Due Diligence Fees (USD):
- USD 7,500 – Main Applicant
- USD 7,500 – Spouse
- USD 4,000 – Dependents over 17
- USD 2,000 – Dependents between 12-17
Passport Fees (USD):
- USD 300 – Each family member
NOTE: Additional charges apply, and all fees are subject to change at any time without notice. Consultation Fee is depending on the number of applicants which is not included on the above schedule of payment.
Until 31st October 2019, two (2) applications from unrelated parties can make a joint investment, with each applicant investing a minimum of US $200,000 in order to qualify. All processing and due diligence fees remain unchanged.
Beneficial ownership of real estate is permissible through a non-profit company provided that the company has issued all of its authorized shares to the applicant(s), is established and is in good standing under the laws of Antigua and Barbuda, is not an exempt or offshore entity and submits irrefutable evidence as to its beneficial ownership, which evidence shall be certified by the Registrar of Companies.
As the application procedure under this option involves the purchase of real estate, this can lengthen the processing time depending on the chosen property. The real estate cannot be re-sold until 5 years after the purchase, unless purchasing an alternate officially approved real estate property in Antigua and Barbuda.
An application for citizenship by investment under the real estate investment option can be submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) when a binding purchase and sale agreement has been signed with the developer of an approved project, which will be subject to the granting of the citizenship application.
The two business investment options are:
- Where a person proposes to make an investment in an approved business of at least USD 1,500,000 on their own behalf.
- At least two persons propose to make a joint investment in such an approved business totaling at least USD 5,000,000, and each of those persons individually propose to contribute at least USD400,000 to the joint investment an application or applications for Citizenship by Investment may be submitted on his, her or their behalf through an agent.
Any potential applicant(s) under this investment option is/are advised to contact the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA) to discuss their proposal.
Table 3 Schedule of Business Investment
| Minimum Amount of Investment | Government Processing Fee | Number of Applicant and Dependents |
|---|---|---|
| USD 1,500,000 as individual or a joint investment of USD5,000,000. Each totalling at least USD400,000. | USD 50,000 | Single Applicant to a Family of Four |
| USD 1,500,000 as individual or a joint investment of USD5,000,000. Each totalling at least USD400,000. | USD 15,000 for each additional dependent | Family of Five or More |
In addition, the following charges will apply for all investment options:
Due Diligence Fees (USD):
- USD 7,500 – Main Applicant
- USD 7,500 – Spouse
- USD 4,000 – Dependents over 17
- USD 2,000 – Dependents between 12-17
Passport Fees (USD):
- USD 300 – Each family member
NOTE: Additional charges apply, and all fees are subject to change at any time without notice. Consultation Fee is depending on the number of applicants which is not included on the above schedule of payment.
- Simple investment plans
- Fast Processing Time— 90 days
- Visa-Free Access to over 150 Countries including Hong Kong, Singapore, U.K. and Europe’s Schengen Area
- No personal or worldwide income tax
- Dual citizenship permitted
- Limited residency requirement; minimum 5 days in the first 5-year after receiving citizenship
- Inclusion of dependent children under 28 years old and dependent parents aged 58 years and above
- Limited number of documents to be submitted
Full citizenship, with passports, is granted to the applicant and their family, and there are no restrictions whatsoever, not even on voting, subject to meeting the standard voter registration criteria. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth, which entitles Antigua and Barbuda citizens to certain privileges in the UK and other Commonwealth countries.
The Table below shows the list of documents required from the applicant to proceed with the application for Citizenship:
| ITEM | FORMS AND DOCUMENTS | REQUIRED FORMAT |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | AB1 – Citizenship by Investment Application | Original |
| 2 | AB2 – Photograph and Signature Certificate | Certified copy |
| 3 | AB3 – Medical Certificate | Original |
| 4 | AB4 – Investment Confirmation | Original |
| 5 | AB5 – Agent | Original |
| 6 | Real Estate sales and/or a purchase contract
(for client applying through real estate option only) |
Original |
| 7 | Passport Form over 16 years old
(applicable only to each applicant aged above 16) |
Original |
| 8 | Passport Form under 16 years old
(applicable only to each applicant aged below 16) |
Original |
| 9 | Passport-size colored photos x8
(Note: less than 6 months old) |
Original |
| 10 | HIV (AIDS) test results (Note: less than 3 months old, for all applicants 12 years and older) | Original |
| 11 | Birth Certificate | Certified copy |
| 12 | National Identity Card or Social Security Card | Certified copy |
| 13 | Passport Copy | Certified copy |
| 14 | Police Certificate
(Note: Less than 6 months old; Any country where they have lived for more than 6 months over the last 10 years and all countries of citizenship. This is required for each applicant above 18 years old). |
Original |
| 15 | Marriage Certificate
(if applicable) |
Certified copy |
| 16 | Divorce Certificate
(if applicable) |
Certified copy |
| 17 | Military records (Each applicant if applicable) | Certified copy |
| 18 | Name Change, Documentation i.e. deed poll, adoption papers, etc.
(Note: Each person if applicable) |
Certified copy |
| 19 | Professional Reference (less than 6 months old) | Original |
| 20 | Bank Reference
(less than 6 months old, from which you will be sending funds to the Government of Antigua & Barbuda) |
Original |
| 21 | Evidence of residential address x 2
A recent utility bill (less than 3 months old) A lease/tenancy agreement or certificate title |
Original/Certified Copy |
| 22 | Employment letter and or corporate documents | Original |
| 23 | Confirmation letter from Institute of Higher Learning
(Note: showing start and end dates of the course – for each applicant and or each adult dependent aged 18 to 25 years old) |
Certified Copy |
| 24 | AB2 – Photograph and Signature Certificate | Original |
| 25 | Proof of Address (For each adult dependent aged 18 to 28 not living with parents or attending university) |
Original |
| 26 | Other supporting documents (for each applicant if applicable) |
Original |
For more information, contact our offices as per the below:
| MCALISTER ABBOTT | Alfred Management & Business Consultancy |
|---|---|
| +1 (268) 764-1035
mabbott@abifinancialgroup.com mcabbott1@gmail.com Global Citizenship Partners Antigua Suite 321, 3rd Floor, ABI Financial Centre 156 Redcliffe Street, St. John’s Antigua |
+971 (4) 452 9676 +971 55 5658705citizenship@alfred-mbc.com info@alfred-mbc.com www.alfred-mbc.com Office 3204, |