Antigua and Barbuda has caught the eyes of foreign investors, retirees, and remote workers with two advantageous visas to obtain residency in the country. Foreign nationals have the option of acquiring a permanent residency certificate or obtaining digital nomad-based resident permits through one of several Antigua residency programs.
This article breaks down the requirements to obtain Antigua and Barbuda residency through the Permanent Residency Program and the Digital Nomad Visa, as well as list the benefits of holding a permanent residence permit in Antigua and Barbuda, including no income tax, inheritance, wealth, or capital gains taxes.
Antigua Residency Programs
When it comes to immigrating to Antigua and Barbuda, immigrants have few options to pick from, depending on their unique situation, of course. Whether your Antigua and Barbuda visa requirements are to to visit, relocate, or invest, the good news is it’s incredibly straightforward to immigrate to this gorgeous Caribbean island nation.
Antigua Tax Residency Program
Establishing Antigua and Barbuda tax residency can be an excellent way to protect your income and optimize global income taxation and tax rates. The permanent residency program was created to attract individuals and business investments to the country for tax purposes. The Antigua and Barbuda tax residency requirements for this program don’t require you to be a citizen or permanently reside in Antigua.
The requirements to establish tax residency are:
- Maintain a residential address in Antigua and Barbuda
- Spend a minimum of 30 days each year in the country
- Have a minimum annual income of $100,000
- Pay a flat tax of $20,000 per annum
The flat tax of $20,000 is all the taxation you will have to pay. Antiguan citizens and residents do not pay taxes on personal income, inheritance, or capital gains tax, making it an excellent permanent residence for investors looking to limit the necessary taxes they have to pay.
Required documents:
- Passport-size photograph
- Valid passport
- Medical insurance certificate
- Police certificate for each applicant over 16
- Proof of an annual income of at least $100,000
- $20,000 annual flat tax receipt
- Proof of relationship to dependents, such as a birth or marriage certificate
Antigua and Barbuda Nomad Digital Residence Program
If you plan to live in Antigua and Barbuda while you work remotely, then the Nomad Digital Residence Program may be the right Antigua residence permit. If you earn the minimum income of $50,000 annually and meet the personal criteria requirements set my the immigration department and Antigua’s chief immigration officer, Ms. Katrina Yearwood, you can receive a two-year visa for yourself and your family.
The nomad residency program requirements are:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be employed outside of Antigua and Barbuda and be able to work remotely
- Have an annual income of at least $50,000
- Have a clean criminal record
Required documents:
- Passport-size photograph
- Valid passport
- Health certificate and insurance
- Police certificate for each applicant over 16
- Proof of an annual income from overseas of at least $50,000
- Proof of relationship to dependents, such as a marriage or birth certificate
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship
Besides these residency options, you may prefer to acquire Antiguan citizenship. If that’s the case, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit, the Antigua immigration department assigned with handling economic citizenship applications, runs an attractive immigration investment program for foreign nationals to obtain citizenship in the Caribbean community and an Antigua and Barbuda passport.
The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program, one of five offered by Eastern Caribbean states, aims to draw foreign direct investment and promote economic growth. Applicants have a chance to obtain citizenship and an Antigua passport by either making a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund, purchasing real estate, establishing a business, or donating to the University of the West Indies Fund.
You can obtain Antigua citizenship as a single applicant or a family unit with a minimum investment of $230,000, enabling you to relocate with your family and maintain permanent residence in the country. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship offers wealthy individuals and expat families increased security and visa free access to over 150 countries worldwide.
Take a look at our Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Ultimate Guide
Feature | Antigua Tax Residency Program | Antigua Nomad Digital Residence Program | Antigua Citizenship by Investment Program |
Tax Identification Number | Yes | No | Yes |
Right to work in Antigua | Yes | No | Yes |
Antigua and Barbuda passport | No | No | Yes |
Right to live in other OECS member states | No | No | Yes |
Minimum residency | 30 days annually | No | 5 days within first 5 years |
Minimum income or investment requirement | $100,000 annual income plus annual tax fee of $20,000 | $50,000 annual income | $230,000 investment or more |
Validity period | Permanent, provided the program requirements are maintained | A maximum of two years | Permanent |
Application processing time | Two months | Five to seven working days | Four to five months |
Why Antigua and Barbuda permanent residency?
Antigua and Barbuda is packed with long stretches of beaches, excellent hiking spots, exclusive luxury resorts, and a superb bird sanctuary, making it easy for outdoor enthusiasts to engage in activities year-round. Antigua and Barbuda also has a stable political climate, low crime rates, a good selection of international schools, and robust infrastructure, making it an attractive destination to relocate to.
Expats enjoy the following benefits of Antigua permanent residency:
- Tourism-based economy with numerous investment opportunities, including boutique resorts and luxury yachting
- Good air connections with direct flights to London, New York, Miami, and Toronto
- Obtain citizenship through a real estate purchase
- Citizenship by investment program providing an Caribbean passport in six months
- Antigua and Barbuda passport unlocks visa free travel access to over 150 countries worldwide
- A safe environment for family members in a secure and politically stable Caribbean country
- Tax haven with no local or worldwide income tax, inheritance, capital gains, or wealth taxes
Benefits of Obtaining Antigua and Barbuda Tax Residency
Antigua and Barbuda tax residents avoid the burden of paying income, wealth, and inheritance tax. Antigua and Barbuda taxes include property tax, sales tax, and real estate transfer tax, but citizens and residents with an Antigua Tax Identification Number are not required to pay primary income taxes to the country’s Inland Revenue Department.
Obtaining an Antigua and Barbuda Tax Identification Number
The Antigua Tax Residency Program grants successful applicants Antigua permanent residency and a Tax Identification Number simultaneously. One you receive an immigration department letter approving a permanent residency card, you can apply for a Tax Identification Number through the Inland Revenue Department.
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 Antigua and Barbuda Residency Programs
Can I immigrate to Antigua?
You can immigrate to Antigua through the Antigua and Barbuda Permanent Residency Program or Nomad Digital Program. Alternatively, you can invest in Antigua and Barbuda and obtain citizenship to move there permanently.
How do I become a resident of Antigua?
Expats who don’t plan to become Antigua and Barbuda citizens have two resident programs to choose from: The Permanent Residency Program (known as tax residency) and the Nomad Digital Residence Program. The Permanent Residency Program requires an annual income of at least $100,000 and a flat annual tax payment of $20,000. The Nomad Digital Residence Program requires a foreign-earned income of at least $50,000 per annum.
Is Antigua tax-free?
There are some taxes to pay in Antigua and Barbuda, but they tend to be low compared to the United States and other countries in the region. As a citizen or Antigua tax resident, you won’t have to pay worldwide income tax, inheritance tax, wealth tax, or capital gains tax. Antigua and Barbuda tax residents, under the Antigua and Barbuda Tax Residency Program, pay a $20,000 flat tax annually, regardless of the total income earned, either worldwide or locally generated.
Why do people migrate to Antigua?
People migrate to Antigua for its safety, and slower, relaxed pace of living. The country has a favorable tax regime, including no worldwide income, inheritance, or wealth tax. With the living costs being so low in Antigua compared to the US, it’s also easy to live a high standard of living at a lower cost.
A large number of investors purchasing Antigua or are setting up business headquarters on the island, thanks to numerous investment options as well as the opportunity to obtain citizenship through the Antigua Golden Visa in return.
Can US citizens live in Antigua?
Americans can live in Antigua and Barbuda if they have an annual income of $100,000 to qualify for the Permanent Residency Program or work remotely and earn at least $50,000 per year to qualify for the Nomad Digital Program. The Antigua economic citizenship also allows US citizens to obtain permanent residence in the country through Antigua citizenship by purchasing Antigua real estate for at least $300,000 or donating $230,000 to the National Development Fund.
How do you qualify for PR in Antigua?
To qualify for an Antigua Permanent Residency Certificate, you must earn at least $100,000 annually, maintain a residential address in the country, spend at least 30 days per year in the country, and pay an annual tax fee of $20,000.
