Antigua and Barbuda is a sovereign island country made up of two island in the Caribbean (West Indies).

The Citizenship by Investment Program of Antigua & Barbuda (CIP) was officially launched on Oct 10, 2013.  The Regulations under Section 6 of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act 2014 allow the government to operate a CIP program, under which citizenship is granted to persons who qualify under criteria set by parliamentary decision. Antigua CIP requires a person to make a significant economic contribution to the Country. In exchange, subject to stringent application and background check , the applicants and their families are granted lifetime citizenship.

Antigua & Barbuda can be the most affordable citizenship by investment scheme for international families in the Caribbean who look for second nationality with wealth diversification. The CIP program has been amended to become a family friendly.

• Lifetime citizenship with one time investment.
• Cheapest citizenship by investment scheme for families
• Fast processing time 3-4 months.
• Just 5 days residency requirement (must be met after 5 years)
• Apply for Canada eTA if you have US visa.
• Spouse, Parents, siblings and children can apply for citizenship.
• Visa free travel to UK, Ireland, Switzerland, EU schengen over 145+ countries.
• No business experience or language tests.
• Antigua Government provides good consulate assistance in many countries.
• Maintain dual citizenship with other nations.
• No wealth, inheritance, foreign income, personal income taxes.

National Development Fund

The National Development Fund (NDF) is a non-profit fund established under section 42(2) of the CIP Act

• For a family of 1 to 4, the minimum investment threshold will be US$230,000
• For a family size of 5 or more, the minimum threshold will be US$245,000

UWI Fund

The minimum threshold will be US$300,000

Real Estate

The minimum threshold will be US$325,000

2. University of West Indies Fund (UWI)

The University of the West Indies Fund (UWI) option is a mechanism for financing UWI’s fourth landed campus.

Only Family of six or more can apply under this unique route. Siblings can also be included, must be unmarried

Applicants to the Citizenship by Investment Programme who choose this option will be required to make an investment of US$300,000 for a family of six (6) or more (i.e. minimum number of persons per application is 6).

Participation in the option will entitle one member of the family to a one year, tuition only, scholarship at the University of the West Indies. The application process is fairly straightforward and application forms can be obtained from a local Licensed Agent, whom has been licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).

3. Real Estate

Applicants wishing to qualify for citizenship under the real estate option may choose from one of three pathways. An applicant may also purchase property valued at minimum US$325,000 through single/individual ownership.

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.

Family Members

Children biological or legally adopted child of the main applicant, or of the spouse of the main applicant can be included in the family application. Note carefully the age limit. For example if the sibling passed the age limit or married, they must file a separate application.

• Spouse – A spouse of the main applicant
• Biological or Adopted Children – A child of the main applicant or his or her spouse who is 0-30 years of age and is financially dependent on the principal applicant;
• Physically or Mentally Handicapped – A child of the main applicant or of his/her spouse who is 18 years or older, but who is physically or mentally handicapped and who is living with and is fully supported by the main applicant;
• Parents and Grandparents – A parent or grandparent of the main applicant, or his or her spouse, who is 55 years of age or older and who is financially dependent on the principal applicant;
• Siblings – A sibling of the main applicant, or of his or her spouse if unmarried of any age.

Application Process

Upon submission of your application through authorized agent, you will be asked to pay the due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fee. On receipt of a letter of approval you will be asked to pay the balance of the government processing fee  and all sums due to the developer under the sale and purchase agreement to enable title to be registered in your name and allow for implementation of the proposed real estate investment in accordance with the guidelines established by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).

Applications are processed in 90-120 days after due diligence and background checks done on investors and family members.

Required Documents

These are the documents which must be prepared in advance, when submitting for citizenship application.

• Medical certificate (HIV clearance less than 3 months including children) **
• Police clearance certificate or Certificate of no criminal record (original) aged 16 or older, where they have lived in countries more than 6 months in past 10 years (must be less than 6 months old) **
• Copy of passports (2 certified copies)
• Marriage or divorce certificate, with spouse as dependent (original) **
• 2 birth certificates (certified copies)**
• Military records (if any)
• 8 photos in color
• Professional reference letter (main applicant less than 6 months old issued by notary, lawyer, accountant)
• Bank references (in letterhead less than 3 months old)
• Proof for source of funds (business registration, share certificate or employment document)
• Proof of name change if any
• For children, 18-25, proof of education such as school or university letter showing full time studies.
• NDF Escrow Agreement confirmation of investment.
• 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), not older than 3 months
• copy of duly executed real-estate contract (Purchase and Sales Agreement), copy of duly executed escrow agreement.
• affidavit of support for each dependent (excluding spouse) over 18 years of age

** Documents originating outside Antigua and Barbuda must bear Apostille or notary seal (if not part of hague convention).

Document Certification

Application for Citizenship by Investment, it must be certified and authenticated in accordance with the law of the jurisdiction from where the document originates.

The person certifying the document must provide the following information; full name in capitals, the capacity in which the person is acting, residential or business address, telephone number and e-mail address.

Where a notary public certifies a document to be a true copy of the original, that document must be authenticated by:

a)       An apostille in accordance with the provisions of the Hague Convention of 5th October 1961 abolishing the requirement for legislation for foreign public documents, in the case of a jurisdiction that is a party to that convention.

b)      Validation of the certificate of the notary public by the appropriate government department in the case of a jurisdiction that is not a party to that convention.