Antigua & Barbuda Tax Haven Passport
The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program was launched by the government in 2013. The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship benefits are ideally suited for single applicants, large families, real estate investors and entrepreneurs. Indeed, the program was specially structured to appeal to these diverse applicant groups. Additionally, the cost for economic citizenship is extremely competitive – especially for large families. As a result, Antigua and Barbuda citizenship requirements provide investors with these four compelling options:
- The single applicant can make a nonrefundable minimum contribution of $100,000 ($125,000 for family of five) to the National Development Fund.
- Purchase Antigua and Barbuda CBI approved real estate with a minimum price of $200,000 (shared ownership) or $400,000 (sole ownership).
- The University of West Indies Fund option requires a $150,000 minimum contribution for families with six or more members. Additionally, one family member receives one year free tuition!
- Entrepreneurs also have the option of investing a minimum of $400,000 (multiple investors) or $1,500,000 (sole investor) into a local qualified business.
Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund
The Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund (NDF) requires the main applicant to make a non refundable contribution to non profit, designated development projects. However, the investor’s funds are not transferred into the NDF until the application has been submitted and approved by the government. After due diligence is completed, a letter of approval is sent to the applicant with instructions to send the rest of the funds. After which, the passports will be issued. Below is a categorized breakdown of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cost under the NDF program.
| Requirements | NDF Costs |
| Investment Fees | $100,000 single applicant or family of up to four persons $125,000 family of five or more persons |
| Due Diligence Fees | $7,500 main applicant $7,500 spouse $4,000 dependent parent or grandparent 55 years and over $4,000 dependent child 18-30 years old $2,000 dependent child 12-17 years old |
| Government Fees | $30,000 single applicant or family of up to four persons $50,000 for addition of each adult dependent* $10,000 each child 0-5 years old* $20,000 each child 6-17 years old* $15,000 each additional person |
| Passport Fees | $300 per person |
Dependent Qualifications: The primary applicant may include his or her spouse, children under 18 and also adult children between 18-30 who are financially dependent on the main applicant. Additionally, dependent parents and grandparents can be included who are over the age of 55 years and financially dependent on the main applicant. Qualified dependents may also include unmarried siblings of the main applicant or of his or her spouse.
*Add On Dependents: After the application for citizenship is granted, dependent children of the main applicant and also a future child of a dependent child of the main applicant (0-5 years old) can be retroactively added for USD $10,000, children (6-17 years old) can be retroactively added for additional fee of USD 20,000. Furthermore, a future spouse of the main applicant may be added for a fee of $50,000 and also the future spouse of dependent children where the child is financially dependent on the main applicant. There should be no time restriction on when a dependent may be added on to an application.
Professional fees are required on all NDF applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
Antigua and Barbuda NDF Approval Process
- The applicant signs the professional agreement with iGlobal and submits commitment deposit.
- Application forms are completed and supporting documents collected.
- The applicant then pays the due diligence fees in full + 10% of the government processing fee. Afterwards, the completed application forms and supporting documents are submitted to the citizenship by investment Unit (CBIU) for review.
- Next the due diligence process begins and it is expected to take a minimum of 90 days to complete.
- After due diligence is successfully completed a letter of approval is received from the CBIU.
- Then the successful applicant pays the remainder of the government processing fees and sends the investment funds to the designated CBIU account.
- Applicant travels to Antigua and Barbuda or one of its embassies to take the oath of allegiance.
- The CBIU issues the certificate of naturalization to the iGlobal agent who then submits the passport application and certificate of registration to the immigration department.
- The passport documents are then issued and will be sent to the investor by a reputable courier service.
Antigua and Barbuda Real Estate Investment
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment permits applicants to qualify by investing in CBI approved real estate. Additionally, the property must be valued at a minimum of US$200,000 (shared application) or US$400,000 (sole application) and be located on either Antigua or Barbuda. The full purchase price (with the exception the down payment of 10% to 20%) is not paid until the application is fully approved.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship requirements compel the investor to retain ownership of the property for a minimum of five years. At the end of the holding period, investors can sell the property to a new CBI applicant who can use the purchase to qualify for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment.
| Requirements | Real Estate Cost |
| Investment Fees | $200,000 each for two applicants, irrespective of the number of dependents $400,000 stand alone applicant, irrespective of the number of dependents |
| Due Diligence Fees | $7,500 main applicant $7,500 spouse $4,000 dependent parent or grandparent 55 years and over $4,000 dependent child 18-30 years old $2,000 dependent child 12-17 years old |
| Government Fees | $30,000 single applicant or family of up to four persons $50,000 for addition of each adult dependent* $10,000 each child 0-5 years old* $20,000 each child 6-17 years old* $15,000 each additional person* |
| Passport Fees | $300 per person |
Dependent Qualifications: The primary applicant may include his or her spouse, children under 18 and also adult children between 18-30 who are financially dependent on the main applicant. Additionally, dependent parents and grandparents can be included who are over the age of 55 years and financially dependent on the main applicant. Qualified dependents may also include unmarried siblings of the main applicant or of his or her spouse.
*Add On Dependents: After the application for citizenship is granted, dependent children of the main applicant and also a future child of a dependent child of the main applicant (0-5 years old) can be retroactively added for USD $10,000, children (6-17 years old) can be retroactively added for additional fee of USD 20,000. Furthermore, a future spouse of the main applicant may be added for a fee of $50,000 and also the future spouse of dependent children where the child is financially dependent on the main applicant. There should be no time restriction on when a dependent may be added on to an application.
Professional fees are required on all applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
Real Estate Approval Process
- The investor signs the professional agreement with iGlobal and pays the commitment deposit in full. Also, the investor enters into a purchase and sale agreement for approved Antigua citizenship by investment real estate.
- The investor completes the application, collects the supporting documents and pays the required deposit to the developer. Additionally, the due diligence fees are paid in full along with a portion of the government processing fee.
- The purchase and sale agreement is signed by both parties and submitted along with the completed application plus supporting documents to the CBIU. Due diligence can take up to 90 days or longer.
- After the due diligence checks are completed the government approval is received from CBIU
- The investor then needs to pay the remainder of the government processing fees and pay the remaining purchase price to the property owner.
- Applicant travels to Antigua and Barbuda or one of its embassies to take the oath of allegiance.
- The CBIU issues the certificate of naturalization to the iGlobal agent who then submits the passport application and the certificate of registration to the immigration department.
- The passport documents are then issued and will be sent to the investor by a reputable courier service.
University of West Indies Fund Option
The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cost requirements now include a compelling option for families of 6 or more members. In addition to significant cost reductions, one family member receives 1 year free tuition at the University of West Indies (UWI). Internationally recognized as an institution of higher learning, UWI is indigenous to Antigua and Barbuda with additional campuses on the neighboring islands of Barbados, Jamaica and also Trinidad and Tobago. Fields of study at UWI include Law, medicine, arts and sciences.
| Requirements | University Fund Costs |
| Investment Amount | $150,000 family of six (four dependents) $50,000 for addition of each adult dependent* $10,000 each child 0-5 years old* $20,000 each child 6-17 years old* $15,000 each additional dependent |
| Due Diligence Fees | $7,500 main applicant $7,500 spouse $4,000 dependent parent or grandparent 55 years and over $4,000 dependent child 18-30 years old $2,000 dependent child 12-17 years old |
| Government Fees | waived |
| Passport Fees | $300 per person |
Dependent Qualifications: The primary applicant may include his or her spouse, children under 18 and also adult children between 18-30 who are financially dependent on the main applicant. Additionally, dependent parents and grandparents can be included who are over the age of 55 years and financially dependent on the main applicant. Qualified dependents may also include unmarried siblings of the main applicant or of his or her spouse.
*Add On Dependents: After the application for citizenship is granted, dependent children of the main applicant and also a future child of a dependent child of the main applicant (0-5 years old) can be retroactively added for USD $10,000, children (6-17 years old) can be retroactively added for additional fee of USD $20,000. Furthermore, a future spouse of the main applicant may be added for a fee of $50,000 and also the future spouse of dependent children where the child is financially dependent on the main applicant. There should be no time restriction on when a dependent may be added on to an application.
Professional fees are required on all applications and will vary in relation to the number of dependents and the complexity of the application.
Antigua and Barbuda Business Option
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment offers a business option to acquire citizenship for individuals and also for multiple investors. The individual option requires a single applicant to make a minimum USD $1,500,000 investment into a local qualified business. Additionally, a second option allows multiple investors to contribute a minimum of USD $400,000 each to reach a USD $5,000,000 total investment amount. Government fees are the same as the real estate option.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Benefits
Completing the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program will provide a multitude of benefits. The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program will benefit each person differently, but the benefits are all indispensable. Here is short list for your consideration:
- Financial Freedom and Security: The Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) was enacted in 2010 by then President Obama as part of the HIRE Act. Indeed, FATCA is strangling the global financial system. As a result, many foreign banks simply will not allow US citizens to open accounts. The only way to avoid this is through renunciation of US citizenship, for which you will need a reliable second passport.
- Member of British Commonwealth: As a Commonwealth Citizen, successful applicants enjoy benefits including assistance at British Embassies and consulates in foreign non-Commonwealth countries where their own country does not have a diplomatic or consular post. Additionally, they can apply for British emergency passports if their passport has been lost or stolen. Also, the children of successful applicants receive preferential treatment inside the UK for student visas and also work visas.
- Political Neutrality: The Foreign policy of your government may make you unwelcome around the world. It is much safer to travel with a neutral 2nd passport.
- Low Tax: There is no personal income tax, this includes capital gains tax, inheritance and wealth tax.
- Business Opportunities: As a citizen of the US or many western European countries you have limited business opportunities in the Middle East and Russia, plus certain countries in Africa and Asia. A second passport from a neutral country allows you to avoid political obstacles when conducting business offshore.
- English Common Law: Antigua and Barbuda citizenship benefits include its English legal system and heritage. The island nation achieved independence from British rule in 1981. However, it proudly remains part of the Commonwealth with Queen Elizabeth II as the reigning Queen.
- Visa Free Travel: There are 151+ Antigua and Barbuda passport visa-free countries including all of the European Union, Commonwealth Nations, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Caribbean countries, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Additionally, in recent months Russia, Kosovo, India and the United Arab Emirates have been added to the list.
- Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Cost: The government has significantly lowered the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cost since inception. Indeed, it is very competitive with other Caribbean programs and is especially competitive when compared to European competitors such as Malta and Austria.
- Easy Processing: The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act 2013 has been simplified for the convenience of applicants. Benefits include – no personal interview, no need to visit the islands during the application process, no managerial experience, no minimal education level and quick 2-3 month processing time.
- Additional Dependents: The parents or grandparents of the main applicant who are over the age of 55 who and financially dependent on the main applicant are permitted as dependents. Plus, financially dependent children of the main applicant age 18-30 are permitted as dependents. New children, dependent grandchildren and new spouse of main applicant can also be retroactively added (see program description for details).
- Minimal Residency: Antigua and Barbuda citizenship requirements include a minimum five days of residency within the first five years of obtaining citizenship.
Antigua and Barbuda Program Restrictions
In order to protect the international reputation of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda, at its meeting held on February 26th, 2020 updated the restricted countries list as follows:
- Afghanistan
- Belarus
- Iran
- North Korea
- Russia
- Sudan
- Somalia
- Ukraine
- Yemen
Citizenship applicants who are nationals of the countries listed above are eligible to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program only if they were born in the listed country but migrated before the age of majority and/or have maintained permanent residence in any country other than those on the restricted country list, for a period of not less than 10 years. Additionally, they maintain no economic ties to any restricted country.
