Lush vegetation, postcard-perfect beaches. Palm trees, tranquility. Endless sunshine and quiet. Yes, that’s Antigua and Barbuda. Situated in the Caribbean, don’t underestimate this tiny two island-nation. It has become somewhat of a trend — investing in Antigua and Barbuda — and investments have poured in from iconic celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Giorgio Armani, as well as ordinary businessmen and investors looking to yield optimal returns and even acquire Antigua and Barbuda passports.
In this guide to investing in Antigua and Barbuda, we walk you through the reasons why you should consider investing in this humble paradise, whether it’s to develop your own business, buy real estate or acquire Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
Reasons why you should invest in Antigua and Barbuda
Invest and get a passport
Did you know that Antigua and Barbuda runs its very own passport by investment program? That’s right, in exchange for making an investment in the country, you can obtain a passport in around four months, with no need to relocate to the island. Moreover, it so happens to be that Antigua and Barbuda offers a high-ranking passport. In fact, it’s considered one of the most mobile passports in the world, coming in 63rd place according to the Global Passport Index.
An Antigua and Barbuda passport provides visa free access to over 140 destinations including Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, and Europe’s Schengen Area. Since this twin-island nation is a member of the Commonwealth, citizens can enjoy certain perks in the UK and other member states.
Skilled workforce
Antigua and Barbuda has invested a lot of money into its people. From high-ranking colleges and courses on offer to training opportunities in tourism, financial services, and construction, the government has taken an active interest in improving people’s skillsets, providing quality that meets world standards. So if you’re considering starting a business in Antigua and Barbuda, rest assured that you’ll get a lot in return from the island nation’s skilled workforce.
Tax perks
Considered a ‘tax haven’, there are no wealth, inheritance, and capital gains taxes. That’s not even the best part. There’s no tax on personal income, which makes it an ideal place for people that like to manage their money independently. If you’re self-employed, your income sourced outside the country is 0% taxed. However, if your income is derived within Antigua and Barbuda, the tax rates vary between 0% to 25%, depending on your ‘tax classification’.
For more information, check out our Antigua and Barbuda tax guide.
Bustling tourism
Antigua and Barbuda is considered a jewel in the Caribbean, attracting tourists worldwide with its organic beauty, unbelievably blue lagoons, vast ports, and rich cultural scene. The country offers up 365 beaches, one for each day of the year! To date, more than half of the country’s GDP is tied to tourism. As such, opportunities to invest in this sector are ripe.
Business-friendly currency and foreign exchange set-up
Conducting business across borders from within Antigua and Barbuda is easy. Since the country is a member of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), the country operates under a common central bank and currency. Antigua and Barbuda has no foreign exchange controls or restrictions on capital repatriation.
Safe and secure
Antigua and Barbuda is a peaceful nation. It’s politically and socially stable, with a strong democratic system, similar to the UK. With low crime rates, the country has virtually no high-level security concerns like terrorism, money laundering, or cybercrime.
Strong investor rights
Antigua and Barbuda operates under a Common Law system based on the UK model. As such, investors’ rights are safeguarded, making for an attractive investment destination. The twin island-nation further ranks highly for enforcing contracts and protecting investors from financial harm.
Investing in Antigua and Barbuda requirements
While there are no restrictions in investing in Antigua and Barbuda, there are certain standards you must uphold if you wish to invest in the nation.
Generally speaking, you must be:
- Of outstanding character
- Have a clean criminal record
- Be healthy
- Hold enough money to make the investment
Investing in Antigua and Barbuda: What are my options?
There is no shortage of investment opportunities in Antigua. Whatever your requirements and objectives are, chances are you’ll find them fulfilled in this gorgeous nation.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment
Established in 2012, Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program has enjoyed significant success, thanks to its attractive program benefits and quick pathway to a passport.
The program welcomes investors to make a qualifying investment. In turn, investors and even their family members, are eligible for an Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program is perfect for individuals looking to expand their business and alleviate their tax burdens.
Other citizenship by investment benefits include:
Fast application processing —get a passport in around 4 months
No physical residence, stay or travel requirements
No interview, education, or managerial experience needed
The whole family is eligible —including dependent children under 30, dependent parents or grandparents over 55 of the applicant, unmarried sibling of the main applicant, spouse, and even future spouse and child
Investors can choose from one of three investment routes to citizenship:
- Donate $100K to the National Development Fund.
- Purchase pre-approved property valued at $400K. The property must be maintained for five years.
- Invest $1.5 million into establishing a business. Two applicants can make a joint investment and split the amount, as long as they meet the total sum.
- Make a contribution of $150k to the University of the West Indies Fund. This is an option for large families, and grants one family member a scholarship.
Among these investment options, they all can qualify for the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
Real estate investment
Any seasoned investor will at least consider, if not pursue, a real estate investment in their lifetime. Investing in real estate means your respective investment can be recovered or used to generate profit. Real estate can be sold or rented out, making for a lucrative opportunity.
At present, you can invest in Antigua and Barbuda real estate, ranging from investing in commercial buildings like boutique hotels, resorts, or buildings, down to actual holiday homes like luxury villas, beachfront properties, or condos.
Invest in a new or established business
If you’re an entrepreneur looking to run a business on the islands, you can absolutely do so by either investing in an eligible enterprise project —alone or with a partner— or setting up a new business that generates income. Generally speaking, investing in an existing business project can generate solid profit, since the economy is quickly growing, thanks to its booming tourism sector. Funds can be pumped into an existing or new business. Either way, it’ll be government-protected, so you can relax knowing your business investment will be sheltered from fraud.
Invest in agriculture
Antigua and Barbuda has a thriving agriculture, with significant growth potential. In particular, the island’s pineapples are a hit. Known as ‘the Antigua Black Pineapple’, this crop grows in dark soil and is renowned in the region for its sweetness. It’s recognized internationally and is even sold in Norwegian supermarkets at a premium price. Poultry is another area to expand to. As a net importer of poultry, there are plans in the pipeline to make the country a net exporter of poultry products.
Sea-Island Cotton is another area to break into. It has high export prices and is even known among Japenese connoisseurs for its quality. With financial aid from the government, 30 acres are currently in cultivation. In short, the main investment opportunities come from replacing some of the island’s food imports and to export to the rest of the region.
Invest in tourism
It’s no secret as to why Antigua tourism industry is experiencing exponential growth. What’s not to like about a gorgeous twin-island packed with breathtaking beaches, sunshine, watersports activities, a friendly local population, and a relaxing atmosphere? You guessed it, the tourism industry is the most lucrative area to invest in. Since it dominates the national economy, it’s the most important source of foreign exchange and direct international investment in the country.
You can opt to invest in more traditional assets like a five-star resort, a boutique hotel, or a golf course, or you can go for a less obvious investment like:
- Sailing/yachting
- Health and wellness tourism
- Eco-tourism and nature tourism
- Cultural and heritage tourism
We’re here to help you with your investment needs
Got a question about investing in Antigua and Barbuda? Chances are, we can help! As a boutique citizenship by investment firm operating in five Caribbean countries — including Antigua and Barbuda— we assist investors in successfully uprooting their lifestyles, broadening their horizons, and starting anew with citizenship by investment. Contact us today for assistance.
Frequently asked questions about investing in Antigua and Barbuda
Why should I consider investing in Antigua and Barbuda?
There are many reasons to invest in Antigua and Barbuda. From the opportunity to own a high-ranking passport, achieve optimal return rates on your investment, and gain solid investment protection from the government to diversify your assets, the opportunities are endless.
What investment options do I have in Antigua and Barbuda?
You can choose to invest in the country’s tourism sector, agriculture, IT industry, real estate, or citizenship by investment. By far though, investing via the citizenship program is the best way to procure a Antigua and Passport in four short months, with the option to include your entire family in the application.
If you plan to invest through the Citizenship by Investment Program, the options are: making a donation to the National Development Fund, buy pre-approved real estate, make a local business investment, or make a donation to the University of the West Indies Fund.
What are the best areas to invest in Antigua and Barbuda?
Along with Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program, investing in the tourism sector or real estate or a great way for investors to get a profit from their investments.
Does the Antigua passport allow visa free travel to Europe?
Yes, Antigua and Barbuda passport holders have visa free access to 140 countries, including the European nations in the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Can I apply directly apply to Antigua and Barbuda's CIP without and agent?
No, Antigua and Barbuda’s CIP, or Citizenship by Investiment Program, demands that all applications be handled by a local authorized agent, who has been licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), or an authorized representative.
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