Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Guide

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With over 365 sandy white beaches, a tropical, sunny climate, and a relaxing pace of life, it’s no wonder that Antigua, coupled with its sister island Barbuda, is one of the Caribbean’s most attractive tourist destinations. But besides attracting short-term visitors to its shores, in recent years Antigua and Barbuda has caught the eyes of foreign investors, retirees, and digital-savvy entrepreneurs, thanks to friendly Antigua and Barbuda immigration policies.

In this guide, we’ll unpack the following topics:

Why immigrate to Antigua and Barbuda?
Antigua and Barbuda visa options
Antigua and Barbuda immigration requirements

And more!

Why Antigua and Barbuda?

Antigua and Barbuda is packed with long stretches of beaches, excellent hiking spots, exclusive luxury resorts, and a superb bird sanctuary, making it easy for outdoor enthusiasts to engage in activities year-round. Antigua and Barbuda also has a stable political climate, low crime rates, a good selection of international schools, and robust infrastructure, making it an attractive destination to relocate to.

Overall, moving to Antigua and Barbuda for retirement or work is a good idea for expats seeking a calm lifestyle surrounded by greenery and the sea. Investment opportunities abound on the island, whereby you can qualify for an Antigua and Barbuda passport in a few short months if you go through the country’s citizenship by investment program and invest in the country’s economic infrastructure.

Expats enjoy the following benefits of residing in Antigua and Barbuda:

Tourism-based economy

Good air connections with direct flights to London, New York, Miami, and Toronto

Luxury upper-end property market

Citizenship by investment program allows citizens to obtain a Barbuda passport in three to four months

Antigua and Barbuda passport unlocks visa-free travel access to over 150 countries worldwide

Dual citizenship recognized

Family members can obtain lifetime citizenship

No tax on worldwide income

Antigua and Barbuda Immigration Options

When it comes to immigrating to Antigua and Barbuda, immigrants have few options to pick from, depending on their unique situation, of course. Whether your aim is to visit, relocate, or invest, the good news is, it’s incredibly straightforward to immigrate to this gorgeous Caribbean island-nation.

Tourism visa

Keen to explore Antigua and Barbuda as a tourist? It’s very easy to acquire a tourist visa, either on arrival or by applying online beforehand at the nearest consulate through an e-visa system. Tourist visas are granted to individuals whose pure reason for visiting is for tourism, or to meet friends or relatives. You cannot be a resident or plan to become a resident on a tourist visa, and you must hold a passport with a minimum of six months validity to enter the country.

Certain countries have treaties with Antigua and Barbuda, where a visa-on-arrival can be easily obtained when landing. These countries include the United States, the United Kingdom, and Canada. In general, a single entry tourist visa is granted for a stay of up to thirty days.

Antigua business visa

Obtaining an Antigua and Barbuda business visa works similarly to a tourist visa. It usually takes seven to eight business days for the visa to be processed at your nearest consulate, with a typical validity of 30 days. Business visas are granted to individuals who are planning to conduct some business on the island, either by attending a meeting or conference. Note, you cannot set up a business or look for work on a business visa, it’s illegal.

Furthermore, on a business visa, you must prove that you don’t intend to stay longer than six months on the island, and you must supply an onward or return ticket, plus confirmation of accommodation. Finally, you have to show evidence that you can financially sustain yourself during your

Work visa

If you would like to work in Antigua and Barbuda, you must have a job lined up already prior to your arrival. Getting a work visa as a non-national was also temporarily suspended in October 2020, due to the government prioritizing local individuals facing economic issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It would be wise to first look into local requirements and contact your nearest embassy for an up-to-date overview of the situation.

In general, a company located in Antigua and Barbuda is required by law to first advertise open positions for five consecutive days locally before outsourcing the work to a nonnational.

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship

Besides acquiring Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship the traditional way via marriage, birthright, or naturalization, there’s actually a quicker way to obtain citizenship if you hold no such connections to the island. Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship By Investment unit runs an attractive immigration investment scheme for foreign investors looking to broaden their horizons and obtain a second passport.

Called Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment, the program aims to draw foreign direct investment and promote economic growth. Applicants have a chance to obtain citizenship by either making a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund, investing in real estate, or establishing a business. You can either obtain Antiguan citizenship as a single applicant for $100,000 or as a family unit, enabling you to relocate with your family if you wish. Barbuda citizenship offers business-minded applicants the chance to travel visa-free to over 150 countries worldwide.

For more information, consult our Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment guide .

Antigua Immigration Requirements

Antigua immigration requirements are relatively straightforward. To enter the country, you must do so legally with a clean criminal record, and with enough funds to support your stay. You also must be in good health and of character. Lastly, your passport must hold a six-month validity at the very minimum.

Note, Antigua and Barbuda immigration laws stipulate the following documentation is necessary to support your visa application:

Scanned copy of the first and last page of your Antigua and Barbuda passport
2 Scanned recent color photographs.(Photo Specification);
Updated bank statement of the last three months
Confirmed return flight ticket
Hotel Reservation or Invitation letter (If visiting family or friends)
Invitation letter from the host company (For the business visa)
Birth certificate for children
Police record certificate showing a clear criminal record.
Letter of recommendation from employer (for the work visa)
Documentation proving your employee’s qualifications for the position (for the work visa)

For more information, consult the Antigua and Barbuda immigration department website.

How to obtain an Antigua and Barbuda visa

To obtain an Antigua and Barbuda visa, you must either go through the government’s Electronic Visa Process or apply in person at your nearest consulate. If you’re applying for citizenship by investment, then it’s recommended that you hire an immigration lawyer to help you with your application. The citizenship application itself is processed by Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship By Investment Unit.

If you’re after a multiple-entry visa, it’s possible to get several entries over a period of twelve or twenty-four months, at the discretion of the visa-issuing officer from the Antigua and Barbuda immigration department.

How we can help

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens.

With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security. For more information on migrating to Antigua and Barbuda, contact us.

Frequently Asked Questions About Immigration In Antigua and Barbuda

Can I immigrate to Antigua?

Yes, you can immigrate to Antigua if you have a valid reason to do so. People usually immigrate to Antigua for work, investment opportunities, or to study. Alternatively, you can apply for Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program, which grants applicants passports with visa-free travel access to over 150 countries worldwide. To qualify, you must make an investment in the country’s economy.

How do I become a permanent resident of Antigua?

To become a permanent resident of Antigua, you must first hold temporary residency in Antigua for five years. One of the ways to quickly stay permanently in Antigua is to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment Program.

Why do people migrate to Antigua?

People migrate to Antigua for all sorts of reasons, but the vast majority are because they like a slower, relaxed pace of living. With the living costs being so low in Antigua, it’s also easy to get by with less money than say the United States or the United Kingdom for instance. Also, increasingly, a large pool of investors are snapping up properties in Antigua or are setting up business headquarters on the island, thanks to the island’s citizenship by investment program.