st-kitts-and nevis-passport-visa-free-accessIn this Antigua vs St Kitts citizenship comparison article, you will find everything you need to make your decision for which citizenship to pursue and how. If you are interested in obtaining a Caribbean passport, keep reading to learn exactly how you can be granted citizenship in exchange for an investment in the country of your choice.

Antigua and St Kitts offer two of the five Caribbean citizenship programs through investment. Both citizenship by investment programs – also called CBI or passport by investment programs – provide investors with a legitimate and straightforward way to obtain a valuable Caribbean passport and second citizenship.

The basic requirements to apply for economic citizenship are as follows: Be over 18 years old, have no criminal record, be in excellent health, and be able to make the required qualifying investment. In return, you will not have to take any language test or fulfill an unreasonable residency requirement.

Benefits of Antigua and St Kitts Citizenship by Investment Programs

Quick application process Quick application process
Eligibility for your family members Eligibility for your family members
No residency requirements No residency requirements
Multiple investment options Multiple investment options
Visa-free entry to over 140 countries Visa-free entry to over 140 countries

Comparison of Antigua vs St Kitts CBI

Program Characteristics

Antigua Citizenship by Investment

St Kitts Citizenship by Investment

Application Time

Two to three months

Four months

Passport Global Ranking

59th. Visa-free travel to EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia, amongst others

53rd. Visa-free travel to EU Schengen countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia, amongst others

Qualifying Investment

  • NDF minimum donation: $100,000 (single applicant) / $100,000 (family of four)

  • Real estate investment: $200,000 minimum 

  • Business establishment: $400,000 minimum

  • University of the West Indies Fund donation: $150,000

  • SISC minimum donation:
    $250,000 (single applicant) / $350,000 (family of four) 

  • Real Estate investment:
    $400,000 minimum

  • PBO support: $250,000 minimum

Taxes

No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax

No income tax on worldwide income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax

Residence Rule

Minimal visitation requirements

No stay requirements

Family Eligibility

Inclusion of spouse or future spouse, dependent children under 30, unmarried siblings, parents and grandparents aged 55 or over

Inclusion of spouse, children under 25, and parents aged 65 or over

Application Requirements

No language or residency requirements

No language or residency requirements

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship

Antigua and Barbuda is located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The nation is made up of Antigua, Barbuda, and the uninhabited island of Redonda. Tourism represents most of Antigua and Barbuda’s GDP, which is unsurprising for such a stunning place with 365 beaches – one for each day of the year. These beaches are known for their distinctive pink hue, which many enjoy photographing.

CBI-programs-caribbean-islandsThe country’s Citizenship by Investment Program was created in 2012, offering foreign investors the chance to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in exchange for an investment in the country. Investors can choose one of the following options:

  • Donation of at least $100,000 to the Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund
  • Purchase of pre-approved real estate or shares of real estate worth a minimum of $200,000, to be held for five years
  • Business investment of $400,000 in an enterprise worth $5 million in total, or $1.5 million as a single investor
  • Donation of $150,000 or more to the University of the West Indies Fund – this option is available for families of 6 members or more and entitles one person to a one-year scholarship

Once you have obtained citizenship, you must spend a minimum of five days in the country within the first five years of being a citizen. This flexibility is an advantage if you tend to travel a lot for work. In addition to this, the tax conditions Antigua and Barbuda offers its residents and citizens are relatively relaxed. There is no capital gains tax, inheritance tax, income tax, or wealth tax on worldwide income or assets. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can also travel visa-free (including visa-on-arrival access) to over 140 countries, including the European Union, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Russia.

As part of the due diligence process, the CIU has announced that applicants will undergo a mandatory interview. Additionally, all family members aged 16 and above will take part in the interview, which will be conducted virtually. The cost will be $1,500 per application.

St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

St Kitts and Nevis is a twin-island nation in the East Caribbean. The two islands are separated by a stretch of sea known as ‘the narrows’, which is a five-minute trip by water taxi. The nation has the longest-running Citizenship by Investment program in the world, launched in 1984. For an investment starting at $250,000, foreign investors and their families can obtain a passport in just two months. Fast, reliable, and relatively affordable, this immigration scheme has been a success, significantly boosting the country’s economy.

sustainable-growth-fund-due-diligence-fee-nevis-citizensThe list of St Kitts and Nevis visa-free countries (including visa on arrival and eVisa access) for passport holders includes over 140 countries worldwide, such as the European Union, the United Kingdom, and many more. St Kitts and Nevis citizens also benefit from a favorable tax regime, with no income, inheritance, or gift tax.

As an investor, you can choose one of three investment routes:

  • Make a non-refundable donation to the country’s Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), starting at $250,000 for a single applicant.
  • Make a minimum investment of $400,000 in pre-approved real estate developments, purchase a condominium unit for at least $400,000, or invest a minimum of $800,000 in a single-family private dwelling.
  • Contribute with at least $250,000 to one of the Public Benefit Projects approved by the government.

The citizenship process takes around four months or 120 days to complete. As part of the due diligence process, the main applicant is required to partake in a mandatory interview. Additionally, the country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) may ask dependents aged 16 and over to participate in mandatory interviews. These interviews will be conducted virtually by default. Once you have been granted citizenship and your Certificate of Registration has been issued, you must collect it in person from St Kitts and Nevis or from an approved Embassy or Consulate identified by the CIU.

Calculate the cost of citizenship for you and your family, including all associated fees.

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Which program to pick?

St Kitts and Nevis vs Antigua and Barbuda – how do you decide? As we can see in this article, both Caribbean countries offer solid, popular citizenship programs with similar positive points, such as tax-friendly policies for Caribbean citizens, flexible requirements, and visa-free travel worldwide. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 150 countries and citizens of St Kitts and Nevis to 156. While the number of visa-free countries differs, the actual locations are similar, including popular places such as the Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Furthermore, Antigua’s minimum contribution is more affordable, but St Kitts has no visitation requirement.

Both nations are members of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and have thriving tourism and hospitality industries that are often linked to investment opportunities for potential citizens. Both countries are also part of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), which influences their economic and political policies.

Age limits for family members

Eligibility requirements for family members are similar, although Antigua and Barbuda allow siblings and grandparents to be included while St Kitts does not. The application processing times of the citizenship programs are also quite similar, with Antigua and Barbuda taking an average of three months and St Kitts and Nevis taking four months.

Family member

Antigua and Barbuda

St Kitts and Nevis

Spouse

No age limit

No age limit

Siblings

Unmarried

Not eligible

Children

Under 30

Under 25

Parents

55 and over

65 and over

Grandparents

55 and over

Not eligible

Individual residents taxes and fees

Both Antigua’s and St Kitts’ taxation policies are convenient and beneficial, not only for high-net-worth individuals and investors. There are no income taxes or taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties. The table below compares a selection of tax rates from each country.

Taxes and fees

Antigua and Barbuda

St Kitts and Nevis

Social security fees

5.5 percent

5 percent

Real estate purchase tax

2.5 percent

N/A

Property owners' tax

0.1 to 0.5 percent

0.4 to 0.96 percent

Real estate sale tax

7.5 percent

6 to 10 percent

Passport strength and validity

Both passports rank well on the Global Passport Index, with St Kitts coming in at 53rd and Antigua and Barbuda at 59th. Both the St Kitts and Nevis passport and the Antigua and Barbuda passport are valid for ten years. The renewal cost for the St Kitts and Nevis passport is $370, while Antigua and Barbuda’s renewal process costs $1,000. To renew your passport, you would need the following:

  • Expiring passport
  • Certificate of naturalization or citizenship
  • Birth certificate
  • Clean criminal record certificate
  • Passport photos
  • Proof of oath swearing and fulfillment of stay requirement (for Antigua and Barbuda)

So, which investment program should you choose in order to obtain a Caribbean nationality? The best economic citizenship for you and your family will depend on your specific circumstances and priorities.

Strong points of the St Kitts and Nevis program:

  • Average processing time of four months
  • Longest-running CBI program
  • Multiple investment routes

Strong points of the Antigua and Barbuda program:

  • Most affordable for families: $100,000 National Development Fund donation for a family of four and $150,000 University of the West Indies Fund donation for families of six or more
  • Most affordable for single applicants: $100,000
  • More family members eligible for inclusion
  • Multiple investment routes

Why use Global Citizen Solutions?

Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.

So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain Caribbean citizenship?

  • Global approach by local experts: We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
  • 100 percent approval rate: We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
  • Independent service and full transparency: We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
  • An all-encompassing solution: A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family's mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
  • Confidential service and secure data management: All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.

To see the full list of reasons why to work with us for your Caribbean citizenship application, click here.

Don’t forget to check our other Caribbean comparison articles:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I acquire Antigua citizenship?

If you are interested in obtaining citizenship from Antigua and Barbuda, the country’s citizenship program is the best way to receive a Caribbean passport in exchange for an investment in the country. There are four investment options: Making a real estate investment in shares of an approved real estate project, making a minimum contribution of $100,000 to a National Fund, investing in a University Fund, or making a business investment. All applications are processed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit.

Can I acquire St Kitts citizenship?

In order to obtain citizenship in this Caribbean country, you must make an investment, which can be a donation to a government fund, a property investment, or a contribution to a Public benefit Project pre-approved by the government. After a few months, you and your family will receive St Kitts and Nevis passport and lifetime citizenship. All applications are processed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit.

Antigua and Barbuda or St Kitts and Nevis citizenship?

Both citizenship programs offer excellent benefits. Having a Caribbean passport means accessing visa-free travel to over 140 countries, a favorable tax regime, and many more advantages. The Antigua and Barbuda passport program has a lower threshold for minimum investment, starting at $100,000. Saint Kitts and Nevis offers the longest-running CBI program in the world. As you can see, the best Caribbean citizenship is the one that best fits your needs.

Which countries offer Caribbean citizenship by investment?

Five countries offer investors the opportunity to acquire Caribbean citizenship by investment: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia. St Kitts and Nevis has the world’s longest-running citizenship by investment program, in operation since 1984.

To apply to one of these investment programs, you must be over 18 years, have no criminal records, and make an investment in the Caribbean country of your interest, usually a non-refundable contribution to a national fund or an investment in a pre-approved real estate development. Other attractive investment opportunities are government bonds or university donations. You and your family can receive Caribbean citizenship in a few months, with tax benefits and the chance to travel to over 140 visa-free countries worldwide.

Is Antigua or St Kitts better?

This question has no definitive answer, as it depends solely on your unique circumstances and requirements. Each island has its own unique charm and attractions that appeal to different people for different reasons. Additionally, depending on what they need, each country’s citizenship program will be better for different investors.

For example, the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program’s investment options are more affordable than St Kitts’, and it allows more family members to be included. During the first five years of citizenship, you must spend at least five days in the country. By contrast, the St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program has no stay requirements, but its minimum investment amount is higher, and it does not allow siblings or grandparents to be included as dependents.

Is St Kitts cheaper than Antigua?

In terms of obtaining citizenship by investment, St Kitts has a higher minimum contribution amount than Antigua and Barbuda. When it comes to the cost of living, both St Kitts and Antigua have been described as more expensive than other Caribbean nations. Even so, the cost of living in these two nations is still more affordable than in the US or the UK.

Which passport is better Antigua or St Kitts?

When comparing the Antigua and Barbuda vs St Kitts and Nevis passport, the winner will depend on your individual needs. For visa-free travel, Antigua and Barbuda citizenship allows you to travel visa-free to 150 countries, while St Kitts passport holders have visa-free access to 156 countries.