Antigua vs St Kitts Citizenship: Full Comparison Guide

In this Antigua vs St Kitts citizenship comparison guide, you will find everything you need to choose the right second citizenship for you. If you are interested in obtaining a Caribbean passport, keep reading as we provide insights on being granted citizenship in exchange for an investment, including:

• Antigua and St Kitts citizenship benefits
• Comparison of St Kitts and Antigua citizenship
• Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment
• St Kitts citizenship by investment
• Requirements and eligibility criteria comparison
• Investment options comparison
• Which citizenship program to pick
• Opportunities for Antigua and St Kitts citizens

Benefits of Antigua and St Kitts Citizenship by Investment Programs

1. Fast application process: Applicants can gain a Caribbean passport in as little as four months.
2. Entire family is eligible: The primary investor can include their spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings.
3. Dual citizenship allowed: Both countries allow dual nationality, permitting successful applicants to get second passports.
4. Increased travel privileges: Antigua and St Kitts passport holders can travel to over 150 countries visa free, including the EU Schengen Area, the UK, China, Russia, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan.
5. Affordable second citizenship: Foreign investors can obtain a second citizenship with a non-refundable donation of $230,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four.
6. Attractive tax regimes: Antigua and St Kitts are the only countries offering Caribbean CBI programs that do not impose personal income tax. There is also no capital gains, inheritance, or wealth tax.
7. Numerous investments: Both Caribbean islands offer unique investment options, including a university fund donation and a private home purchase option.
8. No in-person interviews: Applicants can apply for citizenship remotely, and the mandatory interview takes place remotely.

Comparison of Antigua vs St Kitts CBI

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship

Antigua and Barbuda is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The nation consists of Antigua, Barbuda, and the uninhabited island of Redonda. Tourism represents most of Antigua and Barbuda’s GDP, which is unsurprising for such a stunning place with 365 beaches—one for each day of the year. These beaches are known for their distinctive pink hue, which many enjoy photographing.

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program was created in 2013, offering foreign investors the chance to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in exchange for an investment in the country. Investors can choose one of the following options:

• Donation of at least $230,000 to the Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund
• Purchase of pre-approved real estate or shares of real estate worth a minimum of $325,000, 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

While the application process is entirely remote, including the Caribbean citizenship interview, you must spend a minimum of five days in the country within the first five years of being a citizen. This flexibility is an advantage if you tend to travel a lot for work. In addition to this, the tax conditions Antigua and Barbuda offers its residents and citizens are relatively relaxed.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

St Kitts and Nevis is a twin-island nation in the East Caribbean. The two islands are separated by a stretch of sea known as ‘the narrows’, which is a five-minute trip by water taxi. The longest-running St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment program is the oldest of it’s kind in the world, launched in 1984.

For an investment starting at $250,000, foreign investors and their families can obtain a passport in just four to six months. Fast and reliable, the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship cost is relatively affordable, and the program’s success has significantly boosted the country’s economy.

As an investor, you can choose one of four investment routes:

• Make a non-refundable donation to the country’s Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), starting at $250,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four.
• Make a minimum investment of $325,000 in pre-approved real estate developments or the purchase a condominium unit
• Purchase a single-family private dwelling worth at least $600,000
• Contribute with at least $250,000 to one of the Public Benefit Projects approved by the government.

The citizenship process takes around four to six months to complete. As part of the due diligence process, the main applicant is required to partake in a mandatory remote interview. Additionally, the country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) may ask dependents aged 16 and over to participate in mandatory interviews. These interviews will be conducted virtually by default.

Successful applicants will be granted citizenship and their Certificate of Registration, which must be collected in person from St Kitts and Nevis or from an approved Embassy or Consulate identified by the CIU.

Requirements and Eligibility Criteria of St Kitts and Antigua

Antigua and St Kitts Investment Options Comparison

Which program to pick?

St Kitts vs Antigua citizenship – how do you decide? As we can see in this article, both Caribbean countries offer solid, popular citizenship (CBI) programs with similar positive points, such as tax-friendly policies for Caribbean citizens, flexible requirements, and visa free travel worldwide.

Visa free countries

Concerning the best Caribbean passport for visa free access in Antigua and St Kitts, there isn’t a significant difference in Antigua vs St Kitts passport visa free countries. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders enjoy visa free access to 151 countries, whereas St Kitts and Nevis citizenship offers visa free access to 154 countries.

While St Kitts has more countries to travel visa free to, including popular destinations such as the Schengen Area and other European countries like the UK, as well as Singapore, and Hong Kong, only Antigua and Barbuda passport holders have visa free entry to China and Qatar.

Citizenship cost

The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program is the clear winner when comparing the cost of citizenship by investment in Antigua versus St Kitts. The lowest investment requirement in St Kitts is $250,000, whereas the Antigua program is $20,000 cheaper at $230,000.

While St Kitts has lower citizenship processing fees, Antigua has lower government fees overall, including due diligence fees. Furthermore, the lower minimum investment in Antigua means a lower total investment requirement for single applicants and family applications.

Investment opportunities

The investment options in St Kitts and Antigua both include non-refundable contributions to their national development fund. There are many Caribbean real estate investment opportunities in Antigua and St Kitts for citizenship; however, with 44 government-approved real estate projects, Antigua and Barbuda’s program offers more real estate investments.

Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda provides the investment option of contributing to the University of the West Indies Fund and obtaining a year’s free tuition for a financially dependent family member. Neither offers government bonds as an investment option, with St Lucia being the only one of the Five Caribbean citizenship programs offering purchasing government bonds as an option.

Citizenship timeline

Compared to European citizenship programs, Caribbean citizenship programs offer the fastest route to second citizenship, and comparing the timeline for obtaining citizenship in St Kitts vs Antigua presents a slight difference. Citizenship applications take four to six months to be processed in St Kitts. Antigua’s program grants second passports in six months,

Citizenship requirements

The application process for citizenship by investment in St Kitts compared to Antigua is similar, with the Caribbean nations having no in-person interview requirements to acquire the strongest Caribbean passport. However, the terms of Antigua’s citizenship program include maintaining five days of residency in the first five years of obtaining Caribbean citizenship. In contrast, St Kitts citizenship has no language or residency requirements to maintain St Kitts and Nevis dual citizenship.

The minimum investment period for purchasing real estate in Antigua is five years, compared to seven years in St Kitts.

Tax Comparison Between Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis

Both Antigua’s and St Kitts’ taxation policies are convenient and beneficial, not only for high-net-worth individuals and investors. There are no local or foreign income taxes, or taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties. The table below compares a selection of tax rates from each country.

Antigua vs St Kitts Passport Strength and Validity

Concerning the Antigua and Barbuda vs St Kitts Nevis passport, both passports rank well on the Global Passport Index, with St Kitts passport ranking 45th and Antigua and Barbuda at 51st. Both the St Kitts and Nevis passport and the Antigua and Barbuda passport are valid for ten years.

The renewal cost for the St Kitts and Nevis passport is $370, while Antigua and Barbuda’s renewal process costs $1,000. To renew your passport, you would need the following:

• Expiring passport
• Certificate of naturalization or citizenship
• Birth certificate
• Clean criminal record certificate
• Passport photos
• Proof of oath swearing and fulfillment of stay requirement (for Antigua and Barbuda)

Opportunities for St Kitts and Nevis or Antigua Citizenship Holders

St Kitts and Nevis

• St Kitts and Nevis has numerous visa waiver agreements, facilitating travel to 154 visa free destinations, including the UK, Taiwan, EU countries, Hong Kong, and Saudi Arabia.
• St Kitts and Nevis residents not only avoid worldwide income taxes but all forms of personal income tax.
• St Kitts is the only Caribbean country that offers a single-family private dwelling real estate option, allowing successful applicants to live in the home they purchased to get citizenship.

Antigua and Barbuda

• Antigua and Barbuda Caribbean passport holders enjoy travel privileges in 151 countries, including the option to enter, the UK, European Union countries, Qatar, Russia, and China visa free.
• A family member of applicants who acquire citizenship through the University of the West Indies Fund option is eligible to study at the university for one year tuition-free.
• Antigua residents are not subject to personal income tax, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains taxes.

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.

To see the full list of reasons why to work with us for your Caribbean citizenship application, click here.

Don’t forget to check our other Caribbean comparison articles:

• Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison Guide
• St Lucia vs Dominica Citizenship 
• St Kitts and Nevis vs Dominica Passport
• Grenada vs St Kitts Citizenship
• Grenada vs St Lucia Citizenship
• St Kitts vs St Lucia Citizenship
• Grenada vs Dominica Citizenship
• Antigua vs St Lucia Citizenship
• Antigua vs Grenada Citizenship
• Antigua vs Dominica Citizenship

Frequently Asked Questions about Antigua vs St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Programs

Can I acquire Antigua citizenship?

If you’re seeking to obtain Caribbean citizenship from Antigua and Barbuda, the country’s citizenship program will allow you to make a real estate investment in shares of an approved real estate project, make a minimum contribution of $230,000 to a National Development Fund, donate to the University Fund, or make a business investment to gain citizenship. All applications are processed by the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit.

Can I acquire St Kitts citizenship?

In order to obtain citizenship in St Kitts and Nevis, you must donate $250,000 to a government fund, make a property investment of at least $325,000, or contribute $250,000 to a government-approved Public Benefit Project. All applications are processed by the St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Unit.

Antigua and Barbuda or St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

Both Eastern Caribbean citizenship programs offer excellent benefits. Having a Caribbean passport means enjoying visa free travel to over 150 countries, a favorable tax regime, and political stability. The Antigua and Barbuda passport program has a lower threshold for minimum investment, starting at $230,000. Saint Kitts and Nevis offers the options to buy a home as a qualifying real estate purchase.

Is Antigua or St Kitts better?

This question has no definitive answer. For example, the tax advantages of St Kitts and Nevis vs Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship are relatively even, with both not imposing personal income taxes, capital gains, wealth, or inheritance tax. Both countries recognize dual citizenship.

The preference depends on your unique circumstances and requirements. Each island has its own unique charm and attractions that appeal to different people for different reasons. Additionally, depending on what they need, each country’s citizenship program will be better for different investors.

For example, the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program’s investment options are more affordable than St Kitts, and it allows more family members to be included. In contrast, St Kitts doesn’t have a residency requirement, unlike Antigua.

Is St Kitts cheaper than Antigua?

In terms of obtaining citizenship by investment (CBI), St Kitts has a higher minimum contribution amount than Antigua and Barbuda, making it the more expensive Caribbean citizenship by investment program. When it comes to the cost of living, both St Kitts and Antigua are relatively expensive compared to other countries offering Caribbean Caribbean citizenship by investment programs.

Which passport is better Antigua or St Kitts?

When comparing the Saint Kitts and Nevis vs Antigua passport, St Kitts and Nevis’s passport is slightly better, with 154 visa free countries vs. Antigua’s 151. However, Antigua offers access to China without a visa, an option not available to St Kitts and Nevis citizens.

Is Antigua bigger than St Kitts?

Antigua covers an area of 108 square miles (280 square km) compared to St Kitts’ size of 68 square miles (176 square km), making Antigua the bigger island.