How To Get Residency In Antigua & Barbuda

It is hardly surprising that a diverse group of internationally renowned politicians, celebrities, and fashion designers call Antigua home. The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are a popular leisure holiday destination in the West and a nirvana for people looking for a safe and secure second home country. At any age, the lifestyle is wonderful, and families may benefit from top-notch education amidst a melting pot of cultures.

Antigua and Barbuda has amazing beaches you can relax while living there

CULTURE AND HERITAGE

The culture of Antigua and Barbuda has been influenced by African roots, the British colonial past, and contemporary influences. This may be seen in various ways, such as in their language, culture, food, architecture, religion, music, athletic passions, artistic endeavours, and festivals, such as the carnival festivities in Antigua.

Visitors can experience the local culture by visiting the museums and interpretation centers. They could learn more about the people and maritime heritage, the local cuisine, dancing to the rhythms of the steelpan, iron band, calypso, soca music, and much more.

The proportion of races within this population is as follows: black (87.3%); mixed (4.7%); hispanic (2.7%); white (1.6%); and other ethnicity (2.7%). However, Antiguan Creole is also widely used in Antigua and Barbuda, the official language of the nation is English. Most people practice Christianity, with 68.3%, and 8.2% of the population practicing Protestantism and Roman Catholicism. Nevertheless, indigenous African faiths continue to impact society across the nation despite Christianity's overwhelming power.

Arts and crafts galleries are part of the daily life of an Antigua and Barbuda resident

THE ARTS IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

Many arts and crafts galleries can be found across Antigua and Barbuda, where many of the island's artisans and artists display their creations. Every part of daily life, including ceramics and paintings, exhibits creativity. The vivid hues of the surroundings, the flamboyant reds and oranges of the flowers, the deep blues of the sea and sky, and the golden hues of the sand beaches serve as frequent sources of inspiration. Natural resources like wood, shells and native clay make up a large portion of the materials utilized in regional handicrafts.

The rhythms of calypso, soca, and reggae have long provided the steady pulse of island life in Antigua, and music has always been a crucially essential part of that culture. Antigua has a thriving island nightlife and entertainment industry, and several well-known artists make the island home.

Having the highest proportion of residences per capita with internet access, Antigua is regarded as one of the most "Linked" nations in the area. A brand-new, thriving, and expanding community of digital artists has emerged due to this digital connectedness. These artists produce, host, and distribute their work online for themselves and clients everywhere.

Antiguans enjoy sports and are known for their athletic prowess and strong passion for soccer

SPORTING ACTIVITIES

Antiguans enjoy a variety of sports, including cricket, football, basketball, tennis, sailing, and athletics. Cricket is the most widely-watched sport. The people of Antigua and Barbuda almost consider it a religion. The athletes compete in both domestic (for the cricket team of the Leeward Islands) and international (for the West Indies) games. The West Indies Cricket Team competes in Test matches worldwide, turning this international sport into a national pleasure.

The 2007 Cricket World Cup was held in Antigua from 11 March to 28 April. The quickest Test century was recorded by Antiguan Viv Richards, while Brian Lara twice broke the World Test Record at the Antigua Recreation Ground.

Antiguans are known for their athletic prowess and strong passion for soccer. In 1974 and from 1986 onward, the Antiguan national football team participated in the World Cup. The Antigua Barracuda FC was established in 2011 and competes in the USL Championship. The Antiguan squad was able to advance from their qualifying group in 2012 to compete in the 2014 World Cup. Another naturally popular sport is athletics, with athletes like Heather Samuel and Sonia Williams competing for their nation in the Olympics.

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Some meals you can enjoy in Antigua and Barbuda you will find in other Caribbean nations too

CUISINES

A popular meal in the country is fungee and pepperpot. Made primarily of cornmeal, fungee is a dish resembling Italian polenta. Saltfish, lobster, seasoned rice, and ducana are other native delicacies (from Barbuda). Additionally, various regional sweets are available, such as peanut brittle, sugar cake, fudge, and stewed raspberries with tamarind.

Even though some of these meals are native to Antigua and Barbuda and other Caribbean nations, the local cuisine has expanded to incorporate regional delicacies from Jamaica, such as jerk meats, or from Trinidad, such as Roti, as well as other Caribbean nations.

Antiguan citizens and companies are becoming increasingly aware of the benefits of focusing more on a self-sustaining food supply strategy. Several environmental agricultural techniques are now being implemented at various levels to achieve this. In the larger stores, a lot of food is imported from the United States and other countries.

The Antigua & Barbuda Defense Force is primarily deployed for local and national disaster relief efforts

SECURITY

The government has continuously demonstrated its commitment to the security of its citizens and tourists, and Antigua & Barbuda is among the safest islands in the Caribbean.

Antigua & Barbuda is now on the cutting edge of citizen and property protection in the Caribbean after the Ministry in charge of policing in the nation invested in new, modern technology and installed a network of CCTV cameras across the island in the past three years.

The government has also requested assistance from the British and Canadian police forces for its police force's training and investigational needs. In Antiguan culture, the individual's right to personal security is highly valued, and the island boasts one of the lowest crime rates in the region.

Antigua does not require a military. However, an Antigua & Barbuda Defense Force is deployed mostly during local and national natural catastrophes.

You must have sufficient travel health insurance and available finances for medical care

HEALTH CARE

There are a few significant health concerns because of a climate that allows for light clothes all year round and a laid-back way of life. Dehydration, sunstroke, and other environmental health concerns provide the biggest health threats to tourists.

The primary government hospital can handle a wide range of treatments, although, in critical circumstances, an evacuation may be necessary immediately. In Antigua and Barbuda, medical care may be quite costly.

Make sure you have sufficient travel health insurance and available finances to pay for any necessary medical care and return transportation. If you are sent to a medical institution for treatment, you should contact your insurance or medical aid provider immediately. Make sure you know the facility's prepayment rules before deciding to receive treatment there. Medical travel insurance may not be accepted as payment for services at private clinics.

Antigua and Barbuda has free mandatory education from 5 to 16 years old

EDUCATION

Children between the ages of 5 and 16 are entitled to free and mandatory education in Antigua and Barbuda. The British educational system provides the foundation for Antigua and Barbuda's educational system. The academic year runs from September through June of the following year. In Antigua and Barbuda, there is an education levy on all basic earnings to guarantee that the government pays for all educational expenses. The money from this levy is used to pay for things like school supplies, transportation, and maintenance of the building's infrastructure.

Several more private primary/secondary schools use the government curriculum and CCSET International School, which provides the Canadian Secondary School Diploma.

The American University of Antigua (AUA) and The University of Health Sciences Antigua (UHSA) are the two medical institutions currently operating in Antigua. A government-owned state college and the Antigua & Barbuda Institute of Information Technology (ABIIT) are both in Antigua (ABIIT). Students can continue their academic pursuits at an Antigua campus of the University of the West Indies.

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You can work remotely in Antigua and Barbuda with a permanent residency visa

PATHWAY TO THE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA RESIDENCE

PERMANENT TAX RESIDENCY SCHEME

The Antigua and Barbuda Tax Residency Scheme was established in 1995 to assist wealthy people in obtaining residency there. According to the terms of the tax residency program, you can initially submit an application for a permanent residence permit. Obtaining a temporary residency permit is not compulsory initially.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PERMANENT TAX RESIDENCE SCHEME IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

• Without any financial limitations, purchase or rent real estate;
• Visit Antigua and Barbuda for at least 30 days every year;
• Annual income must be more than $100,000 USD;
• Pay a $20,000 USD annual flat tax.

You can stay in Antigua and Barbuda for unlimited time with family members or do remote business if you have a permanent residency visa.

Those who meet the requirements are given a Tax Identification Number and a Permanent Residency Certificate.

Some ADVANTAGES OF PERMANENT TAX RESIDENCE SCHEME IN ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

• No income tax on earnings or assets anywhere in the globe;
• There is no capital gains tax on income or assets earned anywhere in the world;
• There is no international or asset-based inheritance tax;
• There is no global or asset wealth tax.

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You and your family cant work for an Antigua And Barbuda's company with The Nomad Digital Residence Scheme visa

NOMAD DIGITAL RESIDENCE SCHEME

Nomad Digital Residence Program is an additional route to residency in Antigua & Barbuda starting in 2020. You can reside in Antigua and Barbuda for up to two years under the program. A Digital Nomad visa for Antigua cannot be extended.

REQUIREMENTS FOR NOMAD DIGITAL RESIDENCE SCHEME

• Must be at least 18 years old;
• Must work outside of Antigua and Barbuda;
• Must earn a minimum of $50,000 USD annually;
• Must be free of any convictions.

The Nomad Digital Residence Scheme visa does not let the applicant or his family work for any firm with an Antigua and Barbuda registration. As a result, successful applicants and their families still have to pay taxes in their home countries.

Related article: How To Apply For Antigua And Barbuda Digital Nomad Visa

Antigua and Barbuda is a very tourist-friendly country and English is the official language

CONCLUSION

Certainly, one of the ways to acquire residency in Antigua and Barbuda is, first, to apply for the country's digital nomad visa and have it approved. You can stay in Antigua and Barbuda for unlimited time with family members or do remote business if you have a permanent residency visa. In contrast, successful applicants through the digital nomad visa and their families still have to pay taxes in their home countries because this visa does not let the applicant or his family work for any firm in the country.

Even so, there are so many things Antigua and Barbuda has to offer in terms of locations, people, and experiences that you'll wish you could stay longer.