Entire Family Eligible for Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

Antigua and Barbuda’s eligibility requirements allow entire families to qualify for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment (CBI). In this guide, you will learn about the eligibility requirements for the inclusion of dependents in the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program.

The current standard for eligibility for family under the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program for families of up to six or more to obtain citizenship is favorable and considered the most “family-friendly” among Caribbean citizenship programs. By broadening its ‘dependents’ definition and eligibility to be granted citizenship by investment, Antigua and Barbuda makes clear its efforts to welcome foreign nationals and their families who invest in Antigua and Barbuda.

Dependent siblings, grandchildren, and future spouses can also submit direct citizenship applications through the country’s CBI program.

Eligible Family Members for Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

According to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), the government authority responsible for overseeing the country’s citizenship program, the following dependents are eligible for citizenship by investment program:

• A spouse of the main applicant
• A child of the main applicant or their spouse who is under 30 and financially dependent on the principal applicant
• A child of the main applicant or their spouse who is 18 or older but physically or mentally handicapped, residing with and is fully dependent on the principal applicant
• A parent or grandparent of the main applicant or their spouse who is 55 or older and financially dependent on the principal applicant
• A sibling of the main applicant or their spouse, if unmarried
• A future spouse of the principal applicant. (A fee of $50,000 is payable upon application)
• A future spouse of dependent children where the dependent child is financially dependent on the principal applicant
• A future child of a dependent child. (A government processing fee of $10,000 is to be payable for children under six years of age and $20,000 for children 6-17 years of age)

Antigua and Barbuda CBI Investment Options

1. Antigua National Development Fund contribution

The primary investment option of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program and to obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport is a $230,000 non-refundable donation to the Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund (NDF) for up to family members. Foreign investors can include five or more family members in a single-family application with a monetary contribution to the national fund of $245,000. The required processing fee of $30,000 covers up to four individuals. The main investor must note that a $10,000 processing fee is required before adding family members to an Antigua and Barbuda CBI application.
.

2. Real estate investment

Antigua and Barbuda real estate investment in government-approved real estate projects with a minimum value of $300,000 qualify for the program and an Antigua passport. The applicant investing is not required to make additional real estate investments in an approved real estate project to include dependent relatives besides an interview fee and due diligence fee.

3. University of the West Indies Fund contribution

Significant economic contributions to the University of the West Indies Fund qualify as an investment for Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program. By making a $260,000 one-time contribution to the university fund, a family of up to six can obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment. The investment overview is relatively straightforward as the requirements for family inclusion in Antigua citizenship by investment through the University of the West Indies Fund option does not require additional contributions for additional dependent children or other fully supported family members to obtain a second passport, and it entitles one family member to a year’s free tuition at the university.

4. Business investment

Foreign direct investment in a local business project of $1.5 million as a sole investor or a minimum investment threshold of $400,000 through a joint investment totaling $5 million allows six or more individuals, including unmarried siblings, to obtain multiple citizenship and an Antigua passport. The Antigua CBI program family member requirements for approved business investment requirements no additional qualifying investment, besides government fees, including processing fees, due diligence fees, and passport fees.

Benefits of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program for Families

• Family inclusion: Antigua and Barbuda extends eligibility for citizenship by investment to large families of six or more, including spouses, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and siblings.
• Visa free travel: All family members are eligible for Antigua and Barbuda passports, and Antigua and Barbuda passport holders enjoy enhanced global mobility with visa free access or visa on arrival access to more than 150 countries worldwide, including Schengen Area countries.
• Fast processing time: Citizenship applicants and their families can complete the application process and obtain an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship certificate within four to five months with no requirement to visit Antigua to fulfill the strict due diligence checks.
• Education opportunities: Antigua and Barbuda citizens have access to a high-quality Caribbean education system, with the added benefit of a tuition-free year of study available through the UWI Fund investment option.
• Tax advantages: Antigua and Barbuda offers investors and their families an attractive tax regime, including no personal income tax on worldwide income, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax.
• Financial returns: Investors can qualify for the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program through a real estate purchase and obtain Antigua and Barbudan citizenship along with the option to earn rental income.
• Citizenship for future generations: Successful applicants of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program can pass citizenship to future spouses, children, and grandchildren.

Why use Global Citizen Solutions?

Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.

So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?

• Authorized International Marketing Agent. Global Citizen Solutions have official certification by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to promote and market their Citizenship by Investment program. You can find a copy of our certificate by clicking the image on the right
• Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
• 100 percent approval rate. We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
• Independent service and full transparency. We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
• An all-encompassing solution. A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family's mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
• Confidential service and secure data management. All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Antigua and Barbuda CBI Program Family Eligibility Requirements

What is the processing time for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship applications for families?

While the exact processing time for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment applications can fluctuate, potential applicants and their families can generally expect the citizenship application process to take anywhere from four to five months, provided they fulfill the Antigua citizenship by investment family inclusion requirements set by the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit. The citizenship process from a non-refundable contribution is generally faster than business investments or real estate purchases due to its simplicity.

Is there a requirement for physical presence or residency for families to obtain Antigua citizenship?

There is no requirement to be physically present or to have maintained permanent residence in Antigua and Barbuda to fulfill the eligibility criteria for family members in the Antigua and Barbuda program. The principal applicant and their dependents can apply for citizenship and an Antigua passport remotely. The only residency requirement is five days of residency in the first five years of obtaining citizenship to maintain dual citizenship status.

Can a family lose citizenship obtained through investment under certain circumstances?

Acquiring citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda or other countries is subject to specific conditions and requirements to maintain Caribbean citizenship and visa free access. Families risk losing their dual citizenship by failing to comply with these conditions, which typically include:

• Fraudulent citizenship application, such as not disclosing a criminal record
• Failure to fulfill ongoing financial obligations, such as maintaining a qualifying real estate investment for five years
• Failure to fulfill a minimum residency requirement
• Establishing economic ties with restricted countries

How do I get Antigua citizenship by descent?

You qualify for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by descent and an Antigua passport and an Antigua and Barbuda passport if either of your parents or grandparents was a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda or would have been entitled to citizenship on 31 October 1981.

A child can also acquire citizenship in Antigua by descent if one of their parents acquired Antigua citizenship by investment as the dependent child of a primary applicant. A fee of $10,000 is applicable if the child is under six years old or $20,000 if the child is between 6 and 17 years old, payable to the Antigua CIU (Citizenship by Investment Unit).

How does the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program define a dependent family member?

Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship program defines a dependent family member as a spouse, child under 18 or between 18 and 30, mentally or physically challenged child, parent or grandparent 55 or over of the main investor or spouse, and unmarried sibling of the main applicant or spouse who is entirely financially dependent on the principal applicant or spouse.

Are unmarried partners eligible for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment under the family category?

An unmarried partner of the primary investor, including a legal or civil partner, does not qualify for citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda. Only the primary investor’s spouse is eligible for lifelong citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, which requires submitting an authenticated marriage certificate to complete the citizenship process.

How does the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program handle stepchildren or adopted children?

The principal investor’s stepchildren qualify for citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda as the spouse’s children under 18, dependent children between 18 and 30, and physically/mentally challenged children fit the criteria of eligible dependents in Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship program.

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act treats biological and legally adopted children equally. It allows legally adopted children to obtain citizenship, provided they fulfill all the eligibility criteria.