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 immigration requirements and tax policies. Having a permanent residency in the country, you won’t have to worry about income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax on worldwide income or assets.
In this article, you’ll find out how to get your Antigua visa, especially the Permanent Residency Program and the Nomad Digital Residence Program.
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.
Expats enjoy the following benefits of residing in Antigua and Barbuda:
Antigua and Barbuda Residency 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.
Tax Residency Program
Establishing tax residency in Antigua and Barbuda can be an excellent way to protect your income and help planning when it comes to global income taxation. The permanent residency program was created to attract wealthy individuals and business investments to the country. You don’t need to be a citizen in order to be able to take part in Antigua residency by investment
The requirements to establish tax residency are:
- Maintain a residential address in Antigua and Barbuda
- Spend a minimum of 30 days each year in the country
- Have an annual income above $100,000
- Payment of a flat tax of $20,000 per annum
The flat tax of $20,000 is all the taxation you will have to pay. Antigua has no income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax, making it an excellent permanent residence for tax reasons.
Antigua and Barbuda Nomad Digital Residence Program
If you plan to live in Antigua and Barbuda while you work remotely, then the Nomad Digital Residence Program may be the right choice. If you meet the requirements, you can receive a 2-year visa for yourself and your family.
The visa requirements are:
- Be 18 years or older
- Be employed outside of Antigua and Barbuda and be able to work remotely
- Have an income of $50,000 a year or more
- Have a clean criminal record
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship
Besides these residency options, you may prefer to acquire lifelong citizenship. If that’s the case, Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship By Investment unit runs an attractive immigration investment program for foreign investors looking to broaden their horizons and obtain a second passport.
The program called Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment 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, making a real estate investment, establishing a business, or making a contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund.
You can either obtain Antigua citizenship as a single applicant for $100,000 or as a family unit, enabling you to relocate with your family if you wish. Citizenship offers business-minded applicants the chance to travel visa-free to over 140 countries worldwide.
For more information, consult our Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment Ultimate Guide.
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.
FAQs:
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. If you meet Antigua residency requirements, you can apply for either the Antigua Tax Residency Program or the Antigua Nomad Digital Residence Program.
Alternatively, you can apply for Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program, which grants applicants passports with visa-free travel access to over 140 countries worldwide. To qualify, you must make an investment in the country’s economy.
How do I become a resident of Antigua?
Expats who don’t plan to become citizens of Antigua and Barbuda have two main programs to choose from: the Permanent Residency Program (known as tax residency) and the Nomad Digital Residence Program. Check the main article on this page and find out what are the Antigua residency requirements and advantages of each program.
Is Antigua tax-free?
No. There are some taxes to pay in Antigua and Barbuda, but they tend to be low. As a citizen, you won’t have to pay worldwide income tax, inheritance tax, wealth tax or capital gains tax. As an Antigua tax resident, under the Antigua and Barbuda Tax Residency Program, you will have to pay a flat tax of 20 thousand dollars a years, regardless of your total income, either worldwide or locally generated.
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. Have a look at our guide with the best towns for living in Antigua and Barbuda.
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.
What are the benefits of Antigua and Barbuda residency?
Besides being able to live in a beautiful Caribbean country, with Antigua residency, you can enjoy tax benefits on worldwide income. If you have an annual income over $100,000, you can pay a flat tax of $20,000 per year with Tax Residency. If you’re a remote worker earning $50,000 a year or more, you can have a Nomad Digital Residency and pay no tax on worldwide income.