Visa
Antigua And Barbuda Golden Visa – All You Need To Know
Antigua and Barbuda is a popular tourist destination because to its sandy beaches, crystal-clear water, and breathtaking scenery. Since 2013, this Caribbean island has made it simpler to seek citizenship under the Golden Visa Scheme.
To qualify for an Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa, you must be over the age of 18 and make a significant investment in an approved program; in exchange, you will obtain a new passport. However, before beginning a new life in the Caribbean, you must pass the government’s rigorous due diligence and background investigations and demonstrate that you have no criminal past.
How Can I Get a Golden Visa for Antigua and Barbuda?
You can get a Golden Visa for Antigua and Barbuda if you invest in one of the options available:
National Development Fund (NDF) | You have to make a contribution of USD 100,000 to the NDF government-led fund. This one-time payment grants you citizenship in Antigua, but for each additional applicant, you have to submit processing and government fees. |
Business Investment | You are eligible for the business scheme if you can invest at least USD 1.5 million. |
Real Estate Investment | For the real estate option, you must purchase a property with a minimum amount of USD 400,000– the purchase has to be pre-approved by the Antigua and Barbuda government. You have to maintain your investment for at least 5 years before you can sell it. |
University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund | If you choose this option, you have to invest US 150,000 in the UWI fund. The investment is valid for a family of 6 or more, but keep in mind that only 6 applicants are allowed per application. This investment scheme allows one family member to attend the University of the West Indies with a tuition-only scholarship |
Can I Make a Joint Investment for the Antigua Golden Visa?
For the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa, you can make a joint investment, but only for the business and real estate options as follows:
- Business Joint Investment – You can make a joint investment with another person, or more, in an approved business where each individual is required to put down at least USD 400,000 – the total amount of the investment must be at least USD 5 million.
- Real Estate Joint Investment – You have to make an investment with a related party where both of you must invest an amount of USD 200,000 in real estate.
Antigua and Barbuda Application Process
- Hire an authorized representative licensed agent.
- Fill out your application forms.
- Pay the required fees.
- Make your investment.
- Take your allegiance oath.
Hire an Authorized Representative and Licensed Agent
The first step in applying for the Antigua Golden Visa is to get an authorized representative and a licensed agency. Authorized representatives and licensed agents are not interchangeable; they play distinct roles in the Antigua Golden Visa process:
- Authorized representative –The government of Antigua and Barbuda provides operation licenses to a few select marketing companies to help you navigate the application for the Golden Visa.
- Licensed Agents – Licensed agents are approved legal representatives selected by the government of Antigua and Barbuda to apply on your behalf. However, you cannot contact the agents on your own; you need an authorized representative, who will assist you in choosing the agent.
Afterward, your representative and the local agent will work together and hand you the required documents, apply for the visa, and receive your citizenship documents.
Fill Out Your Application Forms
A qualified agency will give you with all of the documentation and application forms you need for your visa application. You must fill out the application forms on your own; ensure that all of the information you supply is accurate and up to date.
After you have completed the forms and gathered all of your documentation, your local agent will submit the application on your behalf to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). Your agent is the point of contact between you and CIU.
Pay the Required Fees
After submitting your application, you have to submit the fees required for the Antigua Golden Visa. You have to pay the total due diligence fee and 10% of the government processing fee.
If your application is approved, you have to pay the remaining amount of the government processing fee.
Make Your Investment
When you receive a letter from the CIU (managed by your local agent), you will be given instructions on how to finish your investment for the visa application. You have 30 days to make your gifts and company investments.
There is no set schedule for the real estate pathway because it may take longer to complete the purchase. However, make sure to pay the required money as soon as possible to have the property changed to your name.
Take Your Allegiance Oath
Once the investment has been finalized, you and your dependents will receive a certificate of registration, which must be submitted to the passport office to get your passport processed.
During this process, your advisors will let you know of the available dates when you can take your allegiance oath. For the oath, you have two options:
- You can enter the country to collect your passport and complete the affirmation of allegiance, or
- You can visit an embassy or consulate of Antigua in your country, complete your oath and receive your passport there.
Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa Fees
In addition to your investment, you have to submit extra charges to get your Antigua Golden Visa processed:
- Processing Fee: USD 30,000
- Due Diligence Fee: USD 7,500
The processing and due diligence fees change based on your investment choice and the number of applicants.
Documents Required for Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa Application
For the Antigua Golden Visa application, you will need the listed documents:
Application forms. Your local agent will give you the following forms to fill in:
- Application form (AB1)
- Photograph and signature certificate (AB2)
- Medical certificate (AB3)
- Investment confirmation form (AB4)
- Agent form (AB5)
- Passport application form
- Personal documents. You have to provide copies or originals of your passport, birth certificate, national identity card, passport photographs, police certificate, etc.
Document Guidelines
The documents must be certified by an appropriate individual, according to the laws in the country where the document originated from while providing their details:
- Full name (in capital letters)
- The capacity in which that individual is acting
- Their home or business address
- Phone number and email address
Your certificates and copies of documents can also be certified by a notary public, and documents should either be authenticated by an apostille stamp or legalized by the appropriate authorities.
How Long Does It Take to Get a Golden Visa for Antigua and Barbuda?
The processing time for an Antigua and Barbuda Golden visa application is three or four months. But, if you are purchasing real estate, the process may take longer to complete.
Residency Requirements for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa
For the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa, you have to complete 5 days of visitation during the first 5 years of your investment.
Can I Apply With Family Members?
Yes, you can bring your spouse, dependant children up to the age of 28, and parents over the age of 58 on the Antigua Golden Visa. After receiving citizenship, you may be able to incorporate your siblings and other dependents.
What Are the Benefits of Citizenship by Investment in Antigua?
The benefits of having an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship are plentiful, but those worth mentioning include:
- The ability to receive citizenship for a whole family with a low donation requirement.
- Visa-free access (visa on arrival and eVisa) to over 151 countries in the world.
- The possibility of citizenship by descent.
- Benefits from being a citizen in the commonwealth, including having visa-free access to the UK.
Can All Countries Apply for the Citizenship by Investment Program in Antigua?
No, citizens of the following countries cannot apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa:
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Yemen
- Sudan
If you are from one of the countries mentioned above, you may be eligible for the visa if you migrated to another country, lived there for 10 years, and have no economic connection with your birth country.
Does Antigua and Barbuda Allow Dual Citizenship?
Yes, you can have dual citizenship as a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda. However, always verify with your current nation of residence to see if dual citizenship is permitted.