Joe Rice
If you are interested in obtaining a Caribbean passport, keep reading to find out everything you need to know about Antigua vs Grenada citizenship by investment (CBI). Both CBI programs offer investors a straightforward way to obtain second citizenship and a valuable Caribbean passport with over 140 visa free countries.
Benefits of Antigua and Grenada Citizenship by Investment Programs
- Quick application process: The citizenship timeline to get dual citizenship and a second passport is as little as four months.
- Affordable programs: The qualifying investment amount starts at $230,000 for a single applicant or family of four.
- Family are eligible: A main applicant can apply for citizenship for their entire, including a spouse, children, dependent parents and grandparents, and siblings.
- Low or no residency requirements: Grenada’s program does not have residency requirements, and Antigua’s program requires just five days of residency in the first five years.
- Multiple investment options: Investors can choose from multiple investment options to be granted citizenship, including non-refundable donations, real estate purchases, and business investments.
- Enhanced global mobility: Caribbean passport holders have visa free travel to over 150 countries.
- Tax benefits: Grenada does not tax global income, and Antigua does not have any income taxes at all. Both Caribbean countries have no wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes.
Antigua vs Grenada: At a Glance
Program Characteristics | Antigua Citizenship by Investment | Grenada Citizenship by Investment |
Application Time | Six months | Nine months |
Passport Global Ranking | 51st | 71st |
Visa Free Travel | Visa free access to 151 countries, including EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Russia, and Qatar | Visa free access to 148 countries, including EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, China, Russia, and Saudi Arabia |
Minimum Investment Amount | $230,000 for a single applicant or family of up to four | $235,000 for a single applicant or family of up to four |
Investment Options |
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Taxes | No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax | No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax |
Residence Rule | Five days in the first five years | No stay requirements |
Family Eligibility | Inclusion of spouse or future spouse, dependent children under 30, unmarried siblings, parents and grandparents aged 55 or over | Inclusion of spouse, dependent children under 29, parents and grandparents over 55, unmarried siblings with no children |
Application Requirements | No in-person interview or language requirements | No in-person interview, language, or residency requirements |
Grenada and Antigua are two Caribbean countries with their own unique attributes:
Location: Grenada is in the southeastern Caribbean Sea, north of Trinidad and Tobago, and about 100 miles off the coast of South America, north of Venezuela. Antigua sits around a thousand miles east of Jamaica and 500 miles from Trinidad.
Capital: Grenada’s capital is Saint George’s, located on the island’s southwest coast. Antigua and Barbuda’s capital is Saint John’s, located on the northwest coast of Antigua.
Area: Grenada’s territory covers 132.8 square miles, whereas Antigua’s covers 108.5 square miles.
Population: According to the United Nations, Grenada’s population is estimated to be 126,183, and Antigua and Barbuda’s is estimated to be 94,298.
Economy: Antigua and Barbuda’s economy relies heavily on tourism and government services. Similarly, Grenada is largely dependent on tourism but has shifted toward the agriculture industry.
Climate challenges: Both Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada face challenges related to a tropical climate and climate change, including rising sea levels, hurricanes, flooding, and drought.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship
Antigua and Barbuda is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Tourism represents most of Antigua’s GDP, which is not surprising for such a stunning place with 365 beaches – one for each day of the year.
Created in 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program offers global investors the chance to obtain citizenship in exchange for an investment in the country. Concerning the investment opportunities for Grenada and Antigua citizenship, Antigua offers the most options, with investors being able to choose one of the following four investment routes:
- Donation of at least $230,000 to the Antigua National Development Fund
- Purchase of pre-approved real estate or shares of real estate worth a minimum of $300,000, to be held for five years
- Business investment of $400,000 in an enterprise worth $5 million in total, or $1.5 million as a single investor
- Donation of $260,000 or more to the University of the West Indies Fund – this option is available for families of six members or more and entitles one person to a one-year scholarship
Citizens of the Caribbean Community in Antigua and Barbuda enjoy relaxed Antigua and Barbuda taxes. There is no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, income tax, or worldwide income tax. Antigua passport holders can also enjoy access to 151 countries without the need for a visa, including the European Union, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, and Russia.
It is important to note that in addition to holding the initial investment for five years, the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program requires successful CBI applicants to spend at least five days in the country during the first five years of citizenship.
Check out our Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Guide
Grenada Citizenship
Grenada — also called ‘The Spice of the Caribbean’ — is praised for its beautiful nature, tranquility, and relaxed lifestyle. Since 2013, the government has had its own Grenada citizenship by investment program. This Caribbean citizenship by investment scheme allows foreign investors and their families to secure citizenship and a Grenada passport in exchange for a minimum investment of $235,000 in the country’s economy.
With Grenada citizenship, investors can travel without a visa to 148 Grenada passport visa free countries, such as China, the EU Schengen states, the UK, and Russia. In addition, it is the only Caribbean passport that offers the opportunity to apply for the E-2 Visa in the US, which allows citizens to live and work in the US when investing in a US business.
You can become a Grenada citizen by choosing one of the following options:
- Make a donation of at least $235,000 to the Grenada National Transformation Fund
- Purchase pre-approved real estate valued at least $350,000 or shares of real estate project worth a minimum of $270,000, to be held for five years
Which program to pick?
Citizenship cost
There’s a slight difference in the Grenada and Antigua citizenship cost. Grenada’s Caribbean citizenship program has a minimum investment threshold of $235,000, whereas Antigua’s is $5,000 cheaper at $235,000.
Obtaining citizenship through both Caribbean CBI programs requires several government fees to complete the application process. The government fees for Grenada’s cheapest investment for single applicants amount to $13,500 versus $20,000 in Antigua. For a principal applicant and up to three family members, the government fees amount to at least $41,000 in Antigua versus $35,500 in Grenada.
Visa free travel
When making an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment comparison with Grenada, it’s important to note their visa free and visa on arrival access for travel. Regarding the Grenada vs Antigua passport benefits and differences, Antigua and Barbuda offers the strongest Caribbean passport of the two. Antigua passport holders have visa free entry to 151 countries without the need for a visa, or with an electronic visa, eTA, or visa on arrival. Countries allowing visa free access include the UK, European Union countries, China, Russia, and Qatar.
On the other hand, Grenada’s passport allows its citizens to travel to 148 countries visa free, with an electronic visa, eTA, or visa on arrival. Notable destinations on this list include the United Kingdom, the European countries, Singapore, China, and Saudi Arabia.
Citizenship timeline
For an Antigua vs Grenada citizenship processing time comparison, both Caribbean countries offering citizenship by investment programs process applications relatively quickly; however, Antigua’s program is faster at six months compared to nine months in Grenada.
Investment options
When comparison Antigua vs Grenada investment options, Antigua is the clear winner, with four investment routes versus two in Grenada. Both Caribbean citizenship by investment programs offer a non-refundable contribution to a government fund and real estate investments as options for obtaining citizenship. Antigua and Barbuda also allows investors to establish a business or contribute to a university fund.
Family inclusion
The family benefits of citizenship in Antigua and Grenada include eligibility for family members. Both Caribbean programs allow applicants to include their spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings.
Antigua has a slightly higher age threshold for dependent children: 30 versus 29 for dependent children in Grenada. While both Caribbean nations allow unmarried siblings to be included, only siblings without children qualify for Grenada’s second citizenship.
Both Caribbean countries offer citizenship and recognize dual citizenship while offering favorable tax regimes to their citizens, a stunning environment full of natural beauty and outdoor activities, rich histories and cultures, friendly and welcoming locals, and the opportunity to establish a new life in a laidback slice of paradise.
So, which of these investment programs should you choose to obtain Caribbean citizenship? The best economic citizenship for you and your family depends on your circumstances and priorities. Understanding the key differences of each program can help you make an informed decision regarding your citizenship choice.
Strong points of the Grenada program
- Grenada citizens can apply for the US Grenada E2 Visa.
- Investment options start from a $235,000 donation to the National Transformation Fund (NTF).
- No foreign income, inheritance, capital gains, or wealth tax.
- Sole or joint real estate investments
- More government-approved real estate projects to choose from.
Strong points of the Antigua and Barbuda program
- More affordable investment, including processing fees: Donation to National Development Fund (NDF) starts at $230,000 and Antigua real estate investment at $300,000
- More investment options than in Grenada, with the option to establish a business or make a donation to the UWI Fund.
- Additional family members can be included at a later date.
- A family member is eligible for a year of free tuition with the UWI Fund donation.
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 Caribbean citizenship?
- 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 versus Grenada Citizenship
Can I acquire Antigua citizenship?
There are four routes to choose from: a Real estate shares investment, a non-refundable contribution to the state fund or University of West Indies Fund, or a business investment. The minimum investment threshold starts at $230,000. All applications are processed by the Antigua Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Can I acquire Grenada citizenship?
You can obtain Grenada citizenship by making a non-refundable donation to a government fund or making a pre-approved Caribbean real estate investment. The minimum investment is $235,000. Government fees, interview fees, processing fees, and due diligence fees apply. All applications are processed by the Investment Migration Agency Grenada (IMA).
Antigua or Grenada citizenship: Which one to pick?
Antigua and Grenada offer two of five Caribbean citizenship programs. An Antigua passport allows holders to travel travel visa free to over 151 countries versus 148 with Grenada’s. Antigua is also more favorable for tax purposes, with no personal income tax versus worldwide income taxes in Grenada. However, Grenada is a cheaper country to live in and is the only Caribbean country offering Caribbean citizenship by investment and eligibility for the US E2 Visa Program.
Which countries offer Caribbean citizenship by investment?
Five Caribbean nations offer investors the opportunity to acquire Caribbean citizenship by investment and Caribbean passports in exchange for contributing to their economic growth: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. All five countries recognize dual citizenship.
