Citizenship by Investment

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Act was passed by Parliament on March 28, 2013, allowing foreign nationals (along with their spouse, dependent children (up to age 30) and their future spouses, unmarried siblings, parents and grandparents (over the age of 55 years) to acquire citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda following certain levels of investment. Investors can apply for citizenship and a passport within the strict guidelines of the relevant laws and regulations.  Certain dependents can also be added post-approval.

To qualify for citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda under its Citizenship by Investment Program, the investment options are (1) an investment in designated real estate with a value of at least US$300,000 plus the payment of various application and other fees (the Real-Estate Option) or (2) a contribution to the National Development Fund for US$230,000  plus the payment of various application and other fees (the NDF Contribution Option) (3), an individual can invest in an approved business of at least US$1,500,000 or at least two persons can make a joint investment in such an approved business, totaling at least US$5,000,000, with each of those persons individually contributing at least US$400,000 to the joint investment; plus the payment of various application and other fees (the Business Investment Option). (4) An investment in the University of the West Indies Fund for US$260,000, for a family of six or more plus the payment of various applications and other fees(the “UWI Fund Option”).

If you would like to learn more about our citizenship services, please feel free to contact Edward Fisher at Edward.fisher@ag.gt.com. We look forward to assisting you in achieving your citizenship goals.

• Possession of an Antigua and Barbuda Passport.
• Visa-free travel to over 130 countries worldwide, including the UK and the European Union.
• Free residence in Antigua and Barbuda for any length of time.
• Dual citizenship permitted.
• Lifetime citizenship (* See condition below).
• The application and approval process takes an average of 90 days.
• Hassle-free application and approval process.
• Stable democratic government based on the British parliamentary system.

* Applicants will have an obligation to spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda during the 5 years after obtaining Antiguan Citizenship, and to take the Oath of Allegiance (or take the oath upon attaining the age of 18 years in the instance of minors); otherwise, they will not be eligible to renew their passports. (ADDED)

Applicants are not required to travel to Antigua and Barbuda during the application process. However, applicants may be required to visit Antigua and Barbuda, one of its embassies, high commissions, or consulate offices to take the Oath of Allegiance.

If you would like to learn more about our citizenship services, please feel free to contact Edward Fisher at Edward.fisher@ag.gt.com. We look forward to assisting you in achieving your citizenship goals.

• 2 Certified color copies of each applicant’s current Passport(s) showing name, photo, citizenship/nationality, date and place of issue, expiry date, passport number, and issuing country.
• Certified colour copy of applicants’ current National Identity Card(s).
• 8 Original Passport sized photos of each applicant taken within the past 6 months. (N.B. One of the photos in each set of eight must be certified).
• 2 Certified and Apostilled copies of full birth certificate (i.e. a birth document that also includes your parent's details).
• Police Certificate “certificate of no criminal record” or “police clearance certificate” from country of citizenship (unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have never lived there) and from any country where you have lived more than 3 months over the past 10 years. Police certificates must be less than six months old at the time you lodge your application.
• Certified copy of Military Records (if applicable).
• Certified copy of proof of name change (if applicable).
• Medical Certificate including original results of an HIV test (an HIV test is required for all persons twelve years and older applying for citizenship. The HIV test results must be not older than 3 months.

• At least 1 original bank reference letter issued by an internationally recognized bank, not older than 3 months.
• At least 1 original professional reference (e.g. from an attorney, notary public, chartered accountant or other professional of similar standing) not older than 6 months.
• 2 original or certified copies of documents of evidence of residential address (e.g. certified copy of a recent utility bill or bank statement showing full name and address, or written confirmation from a bank, attorney, chartered accountant or notary public) plus a Lease/Tenancy Agreement or Deed of Title.
• 2 Original Apostilled excerpt of marriage record or certified copy of marriage certificate(s) if applicable (i.e. if married persons apply together).
• Certified Apostilled copy of divorce documents (if applicable).
• Statement of source of funds to be invested in Antigua and Barbuda.
• A sworn affidavit of support for each dependent (excluding spouse) over 18 years of age.

• Copy of duly executed real estate contract (Purchase and Sale Agreement) to be submitted with the application forms.
• Evidence of title transfer is to be submitted after the applicant receives approval in principle.

Any other document required as evidence, explanation, or otherwise in support of any of the answers given or statements made during the application process.

Approval in Principle – After the Government has performed its due diligence/background checks on the applicants and there are no issues or concerns identified, then the Government issues a letter of “Approval in Principle” which effectively means citizenship has been approved subject to the applicant’s submission of all required documentation and confirmation of either the real estate investment or contribution to the NDF. The applicable real estate investment or NDF contribution is payable after the applicant has been approved in principle.

If you would like to learn more about our citizenship services, please feel free to contact Edward Fisher at Edward.fisher@ag.gt.com. We look forward to assisting you in achieving your citizenship goals.

National Development Fund (NDF) Option
To qualify for citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda under the NDF option, the Government requires a contribution to the National Development Fund of a minimum amount of US$230,000 for a family of up to four persons, which increases to US$245,000 for a family of five or more.

 In addition to the above investment options, the following processing and due diligence fees are payable to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda:

Application processing fees are payable upon filing the application:

• US$ 10,000 for a single applicant.
• US$ 20,000 for a family of up to four persons.
• US$ 10,000 for each additional dependent where the application consists of a family of more than four persons.

New! The University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund Option
The Government of Antigua and Barbuda has recently introduced a fourth investment option under the Citizenship by Investment Program. The University of the West Indies Fund option will be a mechanism for the financing of the institution’s fourth (4th) campus, to be located in Antigua.  The CIU will begin accepting applications under this option with immediate effect. The particulars of this option are as follows:

• The option is open to applications including six or more persons
• Applicants will be required to invest US$260,000, inclusive of processing fees. Please note that US$10,000 will be added for each additional dependent where the application consists of more than six persons
• Participation in this option will entitle one member of the family to a one-year, tuition-only scholarship at the University of the West Indies campus in Antigua.

Due diligence fees payable upon filing the application:

• US$ 8,500 for the principal applicant
• US$ 5,000 for the spouse
• US$ 4,000 each for each dependent of the principal applicant who is over the age of eighteen years
• US$2,000 for each dependent child aged twelve to seventeen
• US$5,000 for Benefactor (if applicable)

No due diligence fees are payable for dependent children under the age of twelve

The Real Estate Option
To qualify for citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda under the real-estate option, the Government requires an investment in designated real estate with a value of at least US$ 300,000 for each principal applicant; two related parties can make a joint investment to qualify, each applicant will be required to make a minimum investment of US$300,000, OR an applicant can purchase real estate for a minimum purchase price of US$300,000. Real estate from an approved project qualifies for citizenship; such developments may be residential, tourism, commercial, or industrial projects. Real estate buyers should note that there are also stamp duty costs of 2.5% and legal fees of approximately 2 - 3% of the real estate purchase price.

The Business Investment Option
Under the business investment option, applicants will be required to invest in an approved business of at least US$1,500,000.00; OR two or more persons can make a joint investment in an approved business totaling at least US$5,000,000.00. Each person would be required to invest a minimum of US$400,000

Application processing fees payable upon filing the application:

• US$ 10,000 for a single applicant.
• US$ 20,000 for a family of up to four persons.
• US$ 10,000 for each additional dependent where the application consists of a family of more than four persons.

Due diligence fees payable upon filing the application:

• US$ 8,500 for the principal applicant
• US$ 5,000 for the spouse
• US$ 4,000 each for each dependent of the principal applicant who is over the age of eighteen years
• US$2,000 for each dependent child aged twelve to seventeen
• US$5,000 for Benefactor (if applicable)

No due diligence fees are payable for dependent children under the age of twelve.

If you would like to learn more about our citizenship services, please feel free to contact Edward Fisher at Edward.fisher@ag.gt.com. We look forward to assisting you in achieving your citizenship goals.

• The main or principal applicant must be eighteen years of age and be able to make an investment as required by the Act.
• The main applicant can include his or her dependents in the citizenship application.
• Real estate investment of US$325,000 or contribution to the National Development Fund of a minimum of US$230,000.
• Robust due diligence and background checks will be conducted on applicants.
• Applicants will be required to provide medical reports.
• Applicants will be required to provide a police clearance certificate
• Applicants will not be eligible for citizenship consideration where they possess a criminal record for which the maximum custodial penalty exceeded six months imprisonment, are under criminal investigation, pose a potential national security risk, or have previously been denied a visa to a country with which Antigua and Barbuda has visa free status.

If you would like to learn more about our citizenship services, please feel free to contact Edward Fisher at Edward.fisher@ag.gt.com. We look forward to assisting you in achieving your citizenship goals.