Antigua vs St Lucia Citizenship by Investment

If you are considering acquiring Caribbean citizenship as a second passport for you and your family, then this article is perfect for you. We provide a comparison table of the Antigua vs St Lucia citizenship by investment programs, going over the strong points of each. Whether your goal is to increase global mobility with visa free access to more countries, make the best of tax-friendly policies, or diversify your assets, both Caribbean islands provide you with the opportunity to obtain a second passport and enjoy the advantages that come with an alternative citizenship.

Benefits of Antigua and St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Programs

Inclusion of family members

Visa free travel to over 140 countries

Minimal residency requirements

Tax-friendly
policies

Multiple investment opportunities

Quick application process

Antigua vs St Lucia Comparison: At a Glance

Program Characteristics	Antigua Citizenship by Investment	St Lucia Citizenship by Investment
Application Time	4 to 5 months	10 to 12 months
Passport Global Ranking	59th. Visa-free travel to EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia, amongst others	75th. Visa-free travel to EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore, amongst others
Qualifying Investment	NDF minimum donation: $230,000 (single applicant) / $230,000 (family of four) Real estate investment: $300,000 minimum Business establishment: $400,000 minimum University of the West Indies Fund donation: $300,000	NEF minimum donation: $240,000 (single applicant) / $240,000 (family of four) Real Estate investment: $300,000 minimum Enterprise investment: $250,000 minimum Government bonds: $300,00 minimum
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	Minimal stay requirements	No stay requirements
Family Eligibility	Inclusion of spouse or future spouse, dependent children under 30, dependent siblings, parents and grandparents aged 55 or over	Inclusion of spouse, children under 30, siblings under 18 (unmarried with no children), parents and grandparents aged 55 or over
Application Requirements	No interview, language or residency requirements	No language or residency requirements

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship

Antigua and Barbuda is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The nation actually consists of three islands – Antigua, Barbuda, and Redonda (an uninhabited volcanic rock). 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. With powdery white sand and sparkling turquoise waters, these beaches are excellent for surfing, diving, snorkeling, swimming, and soaking up the sun.

The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program was created in 2012, offering foreign investors the chance to obtain Antigua citizenship in exchange for investing in the country. Foreign investors can choose one of the following options:

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 at least $260,000 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

The entire application process can be completed remotely, which is a great benefit for many, and takes an average of 4 to 5 months. The Antigua program is currently the only Caribbean citizenship by investment program that does not have a mandatory interview requirement. It is, however, the only one with a minimum stay requirement. Once you have been granted citizenship, you are only required to spend five days in this beautiful Caribbean country during the first five years of citizenship.

Antigua and Barbuda citizens and residents enjoy relatively relaxed Antigua taxes compared to St Lucia citizens. There are no capital gains, inheritance, income, or wealth tax on foreign income or assets. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders also can enjoy over 150 Antigua passport visa free countries, including the European Union, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Russia.

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St Lucia Citizenship

With its lush forests, white sand beaches, and the famous Piton mountains, Saint Lucia is considered one of the world’s top honeymoon destinations. The island’s economy is largely dependent on agriculture, tourism, fishing, and investment. In fact, the country is an excellent place for business, especially since the St Lucia citizenship by investment program launched in 2015. Foreign investors can be granted St Lucian citizenship in exchange for a minimum investment contributing to the country’s development. There are four investment routes available:

Donation of at least $240,000 to the National Economic Fund
Purchase of pre-approved real estate worth a minimum of $300,000
Enterprise investment of $250,000 in business worth $6 million in total, or $3.5 million as a single investor
Purchase of at least $300,000 in government bonds to be held for five years

In just 10 to 12 months, it is possible to obtain a St Lucia passport, which allows visa free travel, or visa on arrival access, to more than 140 countries, including Europe’s Schengen zone, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Singapore, and more. Citizens of St Lucia can also take advantage of tax exemptions: there is no capital gains, inheritance, income, or wealth tax on foreign income or assets.

Which program to pick?

Both citizenship programs are solid and well-respected ways to become a Caribbean citizen, and both countries recognize dual citizenship and allow it to be passed down to future generations. A Caribbean passport affords a number of great benefits to the holder, so the choice between these Caribbean citizenship investment programs will depend entirely on your specific circumstances and expectations.

Antigua and Barbuda is known as a family-friendly option, not only because of the University of the West Indies Fund option, which is perfect for large families but also because it is the most affordable option for a family of four, at $230,000. Both St Lucia and Antigua require applicants to partake in a mandatory online interview. While St Lucia has no residency requirements, applicants to the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program must spend five days in the country during the first five years of citizenship.

Both Caribbean countries offer four investment routes, which is excellent for investors willing to diversify their assets. However, two options for Antigua citizenship are donations, whereas St Lucia investment options offer a popular bond investment path. So, in short:

Antigua and Barbuda CBI strong points

Most affordable options for families – $230,000 National Development Fund (NDF) donation for a family of four and $260,000 University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund donation for families of six or more
More affordable business option, starting at a $400,000 investment
No interview requirements
Higher ranking on the Global Passport Index

St Lucia CBI strong point

Diverse investment options, including the opportunity to purchase government bonds from $300,000
Affordable second citizenship starting at $240,000 for a single applicant or family of four
No residency requirements to maintain citizenship

Our experts at Global Citizen Solutions will help you find the best Caribbean citizenship for yourself and your family, and you can have a Caribbean passport in hand in a few months.

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.

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

Frequently Asked Questions about Caribbean Citizenship

Can I acquire St Lucia citizenship?

In order to obtain Caribbean citizenship from St Lucia, you must make a qualifying investment of at least $240,000 in the country. This can be a real estate investment, a contribution to a government fund, a business investment, or the purchase of government bonds. You and your family can receive lifelong Caribbean citizenship and a valuable Caribbean passport in just 10 to 12 months. All applications are processed by the St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Unit.

Can I acquire Antigua citizenship?

If you are interested in obtaining citizenship from Antigua and Barbuda, the country’s citizenship by investment program is the best way to become a Caribbean national and receive a Antigua passport in exchange for an investment in the country. There are four investment options: Buying shares of a real estate project, making a minimum contribution of $230,000 to a national fund, investing in a university fund, or making business investments. All applications are processed by the nation’s Antigua Citizenship by Investment Unit.

St Lucia or Antigua citizenship: Which one to pick?

Caribbean citizenship is, without a doubt, a valuable asset to have. Both Caribbean passports provide visa free access to over 140 countries and tax-friendly policies, and the second citizenship can be extended to family members. The Saint Lucia investment program is attractive if you are interested in the government bond option (minimum investment $300,000). The Antigua and Barbuda investment program, on the other hand, is a good choice for large families. As a family of four, you can make a minimum investment of $230,000 in a government fund, while larger families (six or more members) can donate $260,000 to the University of the West Indies.

What is the best Caribbean passport?

Five Caribbean countries offer citizenship by investment programs: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. You can obtain citizenship in exchange for a minimum investment, which may be a donation to a National Government Fund, property investment, or in some cases, business investment or University contributions.

These five Caribbean citizenship programs offer similar benefits, such as the possibility to travel visa free to over 140 countries and being exempt from income tax for worldwide income. There is no residency requirement for Caribbean citizenship, but the main applicant must be over 18 years old, with no criminal record, and pass due diligence checks.

Have a look at our Caribbean citizenship by investment comparison guide to find out which of the Caribbean citizenship programs offers the most visa free countries and more.

Which countries offer Caribbean citizenship by investment?

Five of the Caribbean countries offer investors the opportunity to acquire Caribbean citizenship by investment: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. St Kitts and Nevis has the world’s longest-running citizenship by investment program, in operation since 1984.

In order to apply to any of these citizenship by investment programs, you must be over 18 years old, have no criminal record, and make a qualifying investment in the Caribbean country of your choice. This usually takes the form of a non-refundable contribution to a national fund or an investment in a pre-approved real estate development. Other attractive investment opportunities include government bond options or university donations. You and your family can receive Caribbean citizenship in a few months. As Caribbean passport holders, you will also enjoy several tax benefits and visa free entry to over 140 countries worldwide.

Is Antigua a tax haven?

Many Caribbean countries are considered tax havens thanks to their beneficial tax policies. Obtaining a second passport (and dual citizenship) through one of the Caribbean citizenship by investment programs is one way to benefit from these advantages. Choosing between the Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts, Antigua or St Lucia citizenship program for the most favorable tax environment mean St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and the best options.

More on Caribbean Citizenship

Antigua vs St Lucia Citizenship: Full Comparison Guide