The islands of Antigua and Barbuda find themselves in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, specifically, forming part of the Lesser Antilles and scattered with idyllic beaches and endless boundaries for adventure.
It has to be said, it is no surprise that the region is so popular with expats, and therefore the citizenship by investment scheme available there is certainly an enticing opportunity. Citizenship by investment can be broken down into a number of subsidiary investment types, in this case, the opportunity to relocate to Cambodia is a Direct Citizenship Program.
Essentially, programs of this type work by prospective investors being invited to invest in a number of citizenship pathways, be it through real estate, government bonds, or even reforestation. In return for the investment, the investor (and sometimes their families as well), are presented with a second passport and citizenship in the country.
The mutually beneficial nature of these programs is exciting because both parties are contributing to the development of each other, and in Antigua and Barbuda, this is no exception!
Am I eligible to apply?
First of all, the documentation requested by authorities processing applications varies depending on where you are looking to make your investment. It is for this reason that an understanding of eligibility criteria and documentation specific to your chosen citizenship by investment scheme is key. You will find below this information for Antigua and Barbuda:
· Clean criminal record and police clearance
· Passport copy
· Birth and marriage certificates (2 copies of birth certificate)
All of these must be apostilled and before going any further, the countries that are not permitted to apply under the current regulations are: Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan.
However, if you are were born in of one of these countries but have lived overseas for more than 10 years and have no remaining links to a prohibited nation, specifically in terms of economic links, you can apply. This is interesting as although it is not entirely open to the whole world to apply, the exclusion criteria are very minimal and the documentation list is short too, making this opportunity even more exciting.
What are my options for investment?
Your options for investment include:
· Real estate: US$200,000
· Purchase of business: US$1.5 million
· Contribution to development fund: US$100,000
· University of West Indies donation: US$150,000
Further diversifying the opportunities on offer, the plethora of investment choices make the scheme suitable and viable for most potential investors, as depending on your intentions within the nation, there is likely to be an option where you can achieve this.
Once you have decided on your chosen investment route to citizenship, you can submit your application, following which background checks on the Antigua and Barbuda side will take place and you can travel to pick up your passport upon approval, typically 3 to 4 months later.
Are there any benefits for me?
Interestingly, you usually have to live there for 5 days a year to maintain your status as a citizen, however, until August this year (2022), this is no longer the case, meaning you can be a completely remote citizen. There are many other benefits associated with this scheme though, here are a few examples:
· 28th best passport in the world
· Visa-free access to over 150 nations (incl. UK, EU Schengen Area etc.)
· Bitcoin is increasingly accepted for the investment payment
· Fast processing time
· One of the cheapest programs of its kind for families
So, if you are interested in finding out more about relocating to Antigua and Barbuda through citizenship by investment, as well as other opportunities to develop your business, contact us today! Below this article, you will find a link to set up a free fifteen-minute consultation with us to discuss your options further.
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