Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa Grants Citizenship by Investment in 2024

Affluent individuals can diversify their assets and lifestyle by obtaining second citizenship with the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa program. 

Established in 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme has offered investors, retirees, and wealthy individuals the opportunity to become citizens of the country by making a qualified investment. 

As one of the most beautiful islands in the Caribbean, the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa program is an attractive opportunity for those who wish to obtain a second passport. 

While many golden visa programs offer permanent residency, only a few offer direct citizenship status. 

Becoming a citizen with the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa allows you to obtain a second passport with visa-free entry to 151 countries and have the right to reside in the country. 

In just four to six months, you could be holding a second passport in your hands from Antigua and Barbuda. 

If you aren’t ready to call the islands home just yet, you can experience the lifestyle and the country’s infrastructure with the Antigua and Barbuda digital nomad visa before deciding to invest for citizenship. 

By the end of this article, you will know the benefits of the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa, investment requirements, and how to apply to get your second citizenship. 

What is a Golden Visa?

Before jumping into the details about the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa, we should first determine what exactly a Golden Visa is. 

A Golden Visa is a program that allows foreign nationals to obtain residency and sometimes even citizenship by making a government-approved investment. These investments can be real estate, businesses, bonds, and other government programs. 

These visas are excellent for retirees and wealthy individuals who want to diversify their assets and residencies.  

Benefits of the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa

Obtaining the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa is more than just getting a second citizenship. There are so many benefits, from lifestyle to taxes to travel, that come with the program. 

Get Instant Citizenship

When you apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa and are approved, you will instantly get citizenship in the country. 

Other golden visa programs offer permanent residency as a benefit, which can lead to citizenship years down the road. But the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa leads to citizenship instantly! 

This is excellent news for those who want to diversify their lifestyle and have a second passport on hand. With this passport, you’ll have the right to live in Antigua and Barbuda and will be treated as a citizen. 

Visa-Free Travel to 151 Countries

Antigua and Barbuda’s passport is one of the strongest in the Caribbean. When you hold this passport through the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa program, you will have visa-free (or visa-on-arrival) access to 151 countries. 

These countries include the UK and those in the Schengen Area. 

If your country of origin does not have a very strong passport and you qualify for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa, this could be an excellent opportunity to strengthen your passport status and create an easier travel experience. 

Family Reunification

Applicants of the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa may include their family members in the application. 

Therefore, an applicant’s spouse, children, and parents can obtain citizenship as well. 

Dependents and family members will have the same benefits and rights as the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa main applicant.

Dependent children must be less than 28 years old and parents must be more than 58 years old to apply. 

Low Minimum Stay Required

To retain your Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa, holders must spend at least five days in the country during the first five years. 

This is an extremely low minimum stay requirement compared to other golden visa programs. With just one vacation to the islands, you can secure your new citizenship. 

Favorable Tax Rates

Antigua and Barbuda has very favorable tax rates for those who earn their income outside of the country. There is no income tax, no inheritance tax, no wealth tax, and no capital gains tax on worldwide income. 

Who is Eligible to Apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa?

There are a few eligibility requirements in order to be able to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa. 

To be eligible, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Clean criminal record
• Can pass strict background checks

The following nationalities are restricted from applying for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa: Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. 

Of course, you must also make a qualifying investment to be eligible for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa too. 

Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa Investment Requirements

When compared to other golden visa programs worldwide, Antigua and Barbuda has a fairly affordable citizenship-by-investment requirement. 

There are currently four investment opportunities for applicants to take advantage of to apply for the program.

Real Estate

Investing in real estate is one of the qualifying investment opportunities for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa. 

Applicants may purchase property worth at least $325,000 USD in a pre-approved area or project by the government. 

You must hold your real estate investment for at least five years before you can sell it. 

Business Investment

For entrepreneurs and skilled businesspeople, you can invest $1.5 million USD in business development to qualify for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa. 

This can also be a joint venture, with each person investing a minimum of $400,000 and a total investment of $5 million. 

Government Contribution

The most affordable qualifying investment option is a government contribution. 

Applicants and up to families of four members can donate $230,000 USD to the National Development Fund (NDF).

Families with five members must donate $245,000 USD to the NDF.

This is a one-time donation that allows you to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa. 

University Donation

The last investment option for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa is a $300,000 USD donation to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund. 

This donation allows the main applicant to include five dependents (total of six members in a family) in their application for the visa. One of the applicants may also attend the university on a tuition-only scholarship. 

How to Apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa

The average processing time for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa is about three to six months, depending on the investment option you choose. 

Step 1: Find an Authorized Agent

To apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa, you must work with an authorized agent to submit your application. 

You may not submit your application or documents on your own. Your authorized agent will help you gather your documents and lead you through the application process. 

Step 2: Submit Application

Once you have found an authorized agent to work with, you may submit your Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa application. 

You will need to submit the following documents along with the application:

• Passport
• Passport-Size Photos
• Birth Certificate
• Police Certificate
• Government ID

Your documents should be translated into English if they are not already. 

Step 3: Pay Application and Due Diligence Fees

Upon submitting your application, you will be required to pay 10% of the processing fees and the entire amount of due diligence fees. 

The application processing fee is $30,000 USD for a family of four. 

There is a $7,500 due diligence fee per applicant and spouse. For dependents between the ages of 12 and 17, the fee is $2,000. Dependents over the age of 18 require a $4,000 due diligence fee. 

These fees may vary depending on the investment route the main applicant takes for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa.

Step 4: Make Your Investment

After your application is approved, you will receive a letter from the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). You will have 30 days from the time you receive approval to make your investment. 

It’s important to note that if you choose to invest in real estate, this deadline does not apply as it can take longer. However, it is recommended to purchase your property as soon as possible. 

Step 5: Take Allegiance Oath

Once your investment has gone through and is official with a certificate of registration, you will take your allegiance oath either in an Antigua and Barbudan embassy or physically in the country. 

This oath is the final step to obtaining citizenship and your new passport. 

Get Started on Your Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa Application

Are you ready to diversify and invest in a Caribbean lifestyle? 

When it comes to obtaining a Golden Visa, it’s always a good idea to work with a professional immigration lawyer. Since they are familiar with the process, investment rules, and how the country operates, they can get your visa faster and conflict-free. 

Nomads Embassy is here to help you get started on your Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa application right away! 

We have hand-selected immigration lawyer partners in Antigua and Barbuda waiting to get you started on your investment and claim citizenship in the gorgeous, Caribbean country. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Going through the process of obtaining second citizenship-by-investment is a simple process, especially when working with a professional authorized agent. However, you may still have some questions about it.