Antigua and Barbuda has been named top choice for individuals wanting to obtain a second passport or secure long-term residency. That’s according to the first ever Global Residency and Citizenship by Investment Report, published by advisory firm Global Citizen Solutions.
Adam Gobat, Sales Director at Antigua’s luxury oceanfront project Pearns Point, comments: “Besides being one of the Caribbean’s most scenic destinations, Antigua and Barbuda has a favourable tax regime that does not impose personal income tax, wealth, inheritance or capital gains tax. This has had a considerable impact on the popularity of the nation’s Citizenship by Investment scheme and is resulting in growing demand from property investors and lifestyle buyers.”
Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizen Solutions, adds: “Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can travel visa free to 151 countries, including EU Schengen states, the UK, China and Russia. There are no language or cultural knowledge tests and no requirement to visit Antigua and Barbuda during the application process. Antigua and Barbuda also allows dual citizenship, permitting successful applicants to maintain multiple citizenships.
“Furthermore, Antigua and Barbuda citizens enjoy the benefit of being citizens of the Caribbean Community and Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Successful applicants can live, work and study in Antigua and Barbuda, as well as other member states of the OECS, whilst also having access to healthcare from both public and private facilities.”
To be granted citizenship and an Antigua and Barbuda passport, foreign investors have four investment options, starting from $230,000:
Investment in approved real estate projects
Contributing to the National Development Fund (NDF)
Establishing an approved business
Donating to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund
Minimum investment
$300,000
$230,000
Option 1:
$1.5m as solo investor
Option 2:
$400,000 (in a $5m joint enterprise)
$260,000
According to the most recent data from the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), the Citizenship by Investment application volume reached 739 applications in H1 2024, reflecting a 205% increase year-on-year. Most applicants (83%) chose the National Development Fund donation option but real estate investment accounts for 15% of applications.
“We are seeing a particularly high level of interest from US, UK and Canada residents who choose to purchase a plot of land to build their dream residence. The majority of buyers use their property as a secondary home and investment vehicle whilst others are planning to move to the island full time”, Gobat adds.
Property currently on the market for investors and lifestyle buyers:
Pearns Point – Antigua
Pearns Point, the stunning beach and ocean front development in Antigua, has recently launched a spectacular luxury turnkey villa as part of a new Plot & Plan Programme, to offer buyers a pre-designed finished villa at a final price. The “Classically Glamourous” villa is ultra-energy efficient and situated over two floors to maximize the feeling of space and luxury. The entry level features a spacious open plan living and dining area, with a spectacular grand staircase leading to the upper floor, an open plan kitchen and dining area, a laundry room, pantry, home office, bedroom suite with vanity area, plus there’s a veranda with a swimming pool, outdoor dining and BBQ area, perfect for alfresco dining and entertaining. All bedrooms feature private balconies to maximize the spectacular views and breathtaking sunsets. Villas of 5,000 square feet with pools on 1/2 of an acre lot start from at US$6,000,000 (including land). For more information visit www.pearnspoint.com
