Antigua & Barbuda - How To Get A Second Passport

If you are interested in a second passport, you must consider Antigua & Barbuda. In this article, we will talk about your ability to obtain citizenship by investment in this beautiful country where you can visit a new beach every day of the year! Using our services at Expat Money, you can obtain citizenship here In Antigua & Barbuda to travel without visas to more than 140 countries around the globe.

Antigua And Barbuda

Antigua & Barbuda is a sovereign island country in the West Indies, lying between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The two major islands, Antigua and Barbuda, are separated by around 63 km and smaller islands. 

The capital and largest port is St. John’s on Antigua and Codrington on Barbuda, with the population of Antigua and Barbuda today being just under 100,000 people.

Antigua & Barbuda passport

Antigua And Barbuda ECONOMY

The economy of this island nation in the Caribbean thrives on a robust tourism industry, strong financial services and exports of agricultural products. With just 100,000 inhabitants and a relatively high GDP per capita, over 50% of all non-tax revenue also stems from its Citizenship by Investment program via contributions to the National Development Fund or the purchase of real estate.

To diversify the economic landscape, the government actively welcomes foreign direct investment (FDI), allowing for full control of investment and ownership. Yet, despite the potential in information technology, renewable energy and agro-processing businesses, FDI inflows have remained moderate. 

What Are The Benefits Of Having A Passport From Antigua & Barbuda

There are several benefits to having a passport from Antigua & Barbuda. The main reason is visa-free travel to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen area, the UK, almost all of Europe, Hong Kong, and Singapore. 

In the UK, Antigua's citizens can spend up to 180 consecutive days due to the fact that Antigua & Barbuda are part of the British Commonwealth of Nations. This is one of the privileges for citizens of Commonwealth countries; they get visa-free travel to all other Commonwealth countries. 

As a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda, you can use your passport to enter all countries other than OECS Countries, such as Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, St. Lucia, Saint Kitts & Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines. A driver’s license or any other issued Government Identification with your place of birth may be used to travel to OECS Countries other than a passport.

One of the main reasons we promote Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program to our clients is because it is the most cost-effective option among other such programs for families of 4 or more seeking secondary citizenship and a second passport.

The country also has a very favourable taxation system, with no wealth or personal income taxes, local or foreign, even if you live there full time, and when working together, we will help you create the most efficient tax strategies.

Investment Options

*Legal Fees and additional expenses are not included in these Investment Options

Requirement of Documents

The list of documents required for citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda is long and can be challenging to fill out, and it is important to work with a professional who has a proven track record in applying for your citizenship. Our team here at Expat Money will help you organize and apply for the documents required for the Citizenship by Investment Unit. We’ve found that if these documents are not done correctly, the process can take considerably longer than expected and, in the end, cost you more money than expected.

These documents are to be submitted in English with an apostille stamp, which we will also assist you with.

INCLUDING FAMILY

The recent amendments to the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program include several changes offering greater flexibility and benefits to applicants. The definition of a child has been expanded to include both biological and legally adopted children of the main applicant or their spouse. Additionally, the requirement for dependent children to prove financial dependence has been removed, simplifying the process.

The rules now also allow for the inclusion of dependent children up to the age of 30. The expanded definition of dependents covers children up to 30 years old and includes the spouse of a dependent, provided the marriage occurred after the initial application was approved and the dependent is not older than 35 at the time of application.

Furthermore, children born or legally adopted after the initial application approval are also considered dependents under the same age condition. These changes collectively ease the process of maintaining family unity under the program, accommodating a broader range of family circumstances.

Another addition to the program is the introduction of the option to designate an alternate main applicant. This provision allows the main applicant to appoint another family member listed on the original application as an alternate main applicant. This designation can be made at the time of application submission and is particularly useful in cases where the primary applicant becomes incapacitated, either physically or mentally.

The alternate main applicant must be at least 18 years of age and can only act if the original main applicant cannot fulfill their responsibilities, adding a layer of security and continuity and ensuring that the application process can proceed smoothly even in unforeseen circumstances.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

There are no language, history or cultural requirements for participation. You must be a law-abiding and trustworthy citizen.

APPLICATION PROCESS

 This gives us enough time to prepare your application, submit it to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), get a certification for naturalization and, as a result, get you Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship. As beneficiaries of the program, you do not need to renounce your original nationality, as dual citizenship is permitted here.

We will assist you with the stringent due diligence and background checks. If you provide false facts or omit relevant information, be assured that your application will be denied. 

Once you become a citizen, you must spend at least 5 days in the country during the first 5 years.

If you have opted for the real estate option under the CBI program, the application timeline will differ depending on the project you selected. You will be required to obtain very specific documentation, and we will work with our approved real estate developer to save time and energy. 

CHANGES IN FEES

The recent amendments to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program have also brought changes to the fee structure, impacting both initial applications and subsequent additions. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the updated fees:

INITIAL SUBMISSION FEES

• Single Applicant: The cost for a single applicant is now set at $10,000 USD.

• Family of up to Four Persons: The fee is $20,000 USD for families consisting of up to four individuals.

• Additional Family Members: For each additional family member beyond the first four, an extra fee of $10,000 USD is applicable.

DUE DILIGENCE FEES

• Single Applicant: A due diligence fee of $8,500 USD is required.

• Spouse: The fee for a spouse is $5,000 USD.

• Dependant Child (aged 0-11 years): There is no fee for this category.

• Dependant Child (aged 12-17 years): The due diligence fee is set at $2,000 USD.

• Dependant (aged 18 years and older): An adult dependant incurs a fee of $4,000 USD.

• Benefactor: The fee for a benefactor is $5,000 USD.

• Enhanced Due Diligence: In cases where a review is requested for a denied application, the fee is double the standard due diligence fee.

POST-APPROVAL ADDITIONS

• Dependant Child (aged 0-5 years): Adding a dependant child within this age range will incur a fee of $10,000 USD.

• Dependant Child (aged 6-17 years): For children aged between 6 and 17, the fee increases to $25,000 USD.

• Dependant (aged 18 years and older): Adult dependants are subject to a higher fee of $50,000 USD.

OTHER FEES

• Passport Issuance: $300 USD per person.

• Five-Year Renewal (persons aged 17 and under): $500 USD.

• Five-Year Renewal (persons aged 17 and over): $1,000 USD

Conclusion

Honestly, the best thing you can do for yourself and your family is to get second citizenship, especially from Antigua & Barbuda. It’s a really smart move financially and is something that your children will benefit from, and their children will come.

If you are sitting waiting for the world to get calmer and better, you may be waiting a long time. Now is the time to get a new passport. Please don’t wait. If you wait, so many things can happen. 

• The price can go up (it never comes down), 

• they can dismantle the program (Cyprus did it), 

• and they can modify the requirements (Panama did it with their Friendly Nations Visa). 

This will not get better, so act now.

Every day, we get a call regarding second residencies and second passports, and those numbers are coming in faster day by day. Antigua & Barbuda has an amazing program, and with our assistance here at Expat Money, you could possibly have your new passport in as little as 5 months.