Joe Rice Launched in May 2020, the Antigua and Barbuda University of the West Indies Fund (UWI Fund) is a fantastic option for larger families who are interested in pursuing Caribbean citizenship by investment. The most affordable route for families of six or more members, the UWI Fund’s required investment is a contribution of $260,000 and entitles one family member to a one-year scholarship to the University of West Indies.
Learn more in this guide, which includes the following topics:
University of West Indies (UWI) Fund: The Most Affordable CIP Route for Large Families
The University of the West Indies (UWI) offers the most cost-effective option under the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program for families of six or more members. By comparing the UWI Fund with the National Development Fund (NDF), it becomes evident that the UWI Fund can save families significant amounts, up to $25,000, compared to the NDF Donation. This holds true for families consisting of a couple with three children and a dependent parent.
For families of more than six members to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, the cost for each additional dependent only increases by $4,000, while the contribution amount remains at $260,000, which is great for larger family structures.
The table below provides more information regarding the cost of the UWI Fund, including due diligence fees, government processing fees, and passport fees.
Cost | Family of Up to 6 | Family of 7 or More |
Required Contribution Amount | $260,000 | |
Government Processing Fee | Included in required contribution amount | $10,000 for each additional dependent |
Due Diligence Fee | Dependents up to 11: No fee Dependent children aged 12 to18: $2,000 each Dependents aged 18 and over: $4,000 each Spouse: $5,000 Primary applicant: $8,500 | |
Passport Fee | $300 per passport | |
Invest in Quality Education for Your Children with the UWI Fund
The University of the West Indies Fund (UWI) option is a government special fund used to finance the university’s fourth landed campus. Applying for citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda through the UWI Fund investment option entitles one member of your family to receive a one-year scholarship at the University of the West Indies, one of the Caribbean’s best universities.
This family member must be included in your citizenship application to be eligible for this scholarship.
This is an excellent benefit that makes the UWI Fund an even more attractive option for families with children educated in English, which is Antigua and Barbuda’s official language. However, attending the university is not required for you or your family members to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
Application Process and Timeline
The process of applying for citizenship by making a contribution to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund is fairly straightforward and generally takes six months from the submission of your application to your passport being issued.
1: Discussion with our team and obtain proposal
Obtain a proposal that details all costs and government fees associated with your Antigua and Barbuda UWI investment application.
2: Start onboarding
The team at Global Citizen Solutions will help you prepare your application forms and gather all the necessary supporting documents. Make sure to notarize and certify documents as needed.
3: Application review
Ensure that your citizenship application and supporting documents are reviewed by your licensed CIP agent, such as Global Citizen Solutions. We will review your citizenship application and supporting documents to ensure everything is in order to officially submit your application.
4: Due diligence
Submit your documents required for due diligence.
5: Application submission
Submit your application to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) and pay the necessary due diligence fees.
6: Approval
The Citizenship by Investment Unit will decide on the success of your application. It takes about four to five months from the interview stage to the issuing of your passport.
7: Final invoice
Your final invoice will be issued. You will be required to pay your contribution, the passport fees, and the remainder of the government processing fees.
8: Passport issuance
The CIU will issue your passport and Certificate of Registration (COR). This generally occurs within one month of you making your investment payment.
9: Receive documents
Your Antigua and Barbuda passports and COR will be couriered to you.
About the University of the West Indies
Established in 1948 in Jamaica, the University of the West Indies (UWI) is the largest and longest-standing education provider in the Caribbean and is ranked among the best universities in the world. Formally University College of the West Indies, it is a regional university network serving higher education needs of the Caribbean’s 18 English-speaking countries and territories.
Offering high-quality research and excellent educational facilities across the Caribbean region, UWI remains the only Caribbean university to make the prestigious Times Higher Education Rankings list, ranked among the world’s top 600 universities in 2019 and 2020 and among the 40 best Latin American and Caribbean universities.
The UWI now has five campuses:
- Mona Campus in Kingston, Jamaica
- St Augustine Campus in St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
- Cave Hill Campus in Bridgetown, Barbados
- Five Islands Campus in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda
- Open Campus with virtual and regional centers across UWI member countries
Key features of Antigua’s UWI campus
- Location: Five Islands, Antigua
- Schools: School of Business and Management, School of Science Computing and Artificial Intelligence, School of Health and Behavioural Sciences, School of Humanities and Education
- Academic programs: Undergraduate and graduate programs, including finance, management, accounting, marketing, international business, informatization technology, human resources, and medical
- Agenda: UWI’s goal is to improve the understanding of higher education among the local population by connecting highly-trained researchers with the public.
- Global reach: UWI is respected worldwide. Its campuses across the Caribbean have the infrastructure to address regional and global concerns.
- Alumni association: The UWI Alumni Association (UWIAA) is the official network of graduates across all the university’s campuses.
- Student exchange programs: UWI partners with other universities for studenent exchange collaborations, including the University of Toronto, Harvard University, the University of Oxford, and Beijing Foreign Studies University
- Open campus: UWI offers an open campus in Antigua and Barbuda that provides internationally recognized undergraduate and graduate programs.
- UWI Global Campus: The UWI Global Campus allows wider Caribbean citizens and foreign nationals to access higher education at the university remotely.
- UWI Fund: The University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund is an investment option of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program.
The university has around 36,000 students and 1,200 members of staff. It may interest you to know that several Nobel Prize winners and former prime ministers or heads of governments are alumni of the University of the West Indies. Renowned for its high Caribbean education standards, courses and degrees from the university are accepted by universities and employers across the globe.
Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship
Antigua and Barbuda is one of only five nations offering Caribbean citizenship by investment programs. These programs offer foreign investors the opportunity to contribute to the nation’s economic growth and receive citizenship in return. Antigua and Barbuda, however, offers the best value for large families looking to obtain Caribbean citizenship.
Under the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program, you have four investment options in addition to the UWI fund option: A contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF), a real estate investment, or a business investment.
There are a number of benefits to obtaining Antigua citizenship:
- No Antigua personal income tax or wealth tax, inheritance, gift, and capital gains taxes.
- Short minimum stay requirement of five days during the first five years.
- Attractive investment opportunities in the tourism sector.
- Free tuition only scholarship for a family member through the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund option.
- Obtain a Caribbean passport offering visa free travel to more than 150 destinations.
Additionally, the cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is quite affordable, particularly when compared to the US. For example, the cost of rent in St John’s – the capital of this beautiful nation – is 62.6 percent lower than in Washington, DC, according to Numbeo.
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 University of West Indies Fund
What is the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund?
The Antigua and Barbuda University of the West Indies Fund is a government special fund associated with the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program. The fund allows large families of up to six members to obtain citizenship with a one-time contribution of $260,000.
Besides the required investment, costs include due diligence fees and processing fees. A benefit of contributing to the University of West Indies Fund option is it grants a one-year scholarship for one family member included in the citizenship application to study at the UWI.
Is Global Citizen Solutions a Registered Agent with the Antigua and Barbuda government for the citizenship program?
Yes, Global Citizen Solutions is a Registered Agent with Antigua and Barbuda’s government for the citizenship program.
What is the purpose of the University of the West Indies Fund in Antigua and Barbuda?
The new UWI Fund option supports higher education initiatives at the Antigua and Barbuda UWI Five Islands Campus. Specifically, the fund aims to expand educational opportunities for Antigua and Barbuda citizens by providing financial support for scholarships, research projects, infrastructure development, and other academic programs at the island’s University of the West Indies (UWI) campus.
Are contributions to the University of the West Indies Fund in Antigua and Barbuda tax-deductible?
Charitable donations, including contributions to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund, are eligible for a 30 percent tax credit against taxable income in Antigua and Barbuda, making them tax-deductible.
How is the University of the West Indies funded?
As reported on uwi.edu, the official website of the University of the West Indies, 80 percent of the university’s funding is sourced from the government and UWI Fund donations, with the remaining 20 percent covered by student tuition fees.
Is UWI a prestigious university?
The University of the West Indies (UWI) is a prestigious institution, ranking above many reputable universities in Latin America and the Caribbean. UWI collaborates with numerous prestigious universities around the world, including the University of Cambridge and Harvard University.
