The condition has been lifted because of the coronavirus pandemic. Investors cannot fly into Antigua and Barbuda because of travel restrictions between countries.
If the condition had remained in place, investors could have had their passports revoked for breaching citizenship program rules.
A notice from the program department dated 10 August 2021 sets the expiry date of the cancellation.
The change in the rules is particularly important for investors who have not yet had time to visit Antigua and Barbuda and whose five-year period ends before 31 August 2022. Thanks to the amendment, they are essentially exempt from the residency obligation.
Head of Caribbean investment citizenship programs at Immigrant Invest
Do you have to come to the islands to take the oath?
Applicants for citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda over the age of 18 are sworn in before receiving their passports. Before the pandemic, the ceremony took place only on the islands: in a solemn setting, in the presence of a notary and a photographer.
In February 2021, the government of Antigua and Barbuda allowed swearing in not only on the islands but also at the country's 15 overseas offices. Investors can also take the oath of office online via videoconference. List of representations and how to organize the oath in a pandemic.
The remote oath format does not waive the residency requirement. New citizens of Antigua and Barbuda must still spend five days in the islands, but after 31 August 2022.
| Online oath in Moscow or another city | Oath-taking in Antigua and Barbuda |
|---|---|
| Need to fly to Antigua and Barbuda after 31 August 2022 | No need to fly in again if you spend more than five days in the islands at once |
New fees for naturalization certificates and passports
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda receive certificates of naturalization once. The certificates are valid for life. Passports, on the other hand, must be renewed every five years. Government fees are payable for the renewal of documents.
The updated rates for state fees are valid from 14 August 2020.
Charges for certificates of naturalization and passports
| Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Issuance of a certificate of naturalization | $200 |
| Re-issuance of certificate due to lost, stolen or damaged document | $400 |
| First passport issuance | $300 |
| Re-issuance of passport due to loss, theft or damage of document | $600 |
| Passport cancellation | $300 |
| Passport renewal for citizens under 18 years old | $500 |
| Passport renewal for citizens over 18 | $1000 |
How else have the conditions for obtaining citizenship by investment changed
Submission of documents online. From April 2020, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Program Department accepts applications only through the secure online portal. The department will begin processing the application as soon as it receives scans of the documents. The originals are sent by post after the application has been submitted.
More opportunities for relatives to participate. In November 2020, the list of relatives who can obtain passports with an investor was expanded. For example, the investor's siblings, children under 30, and parents over 55 can now participate. The fees for joining relatives already after the investor has received the passport have also been reduced.
A new investment option for large families. From May 2020, families of six or more can obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship for a contribution to the University of the West Indies Foundation. The minimum contribution is $150,000, with the amount increasing by $15,000 for each family member over six. As a bonus, one family member receives a year of free university tuition.
The minimum amount to buy a property has been reduced. From March 2020, the minimum investment amount for a property is $200,000 instead of $400,000. All properties are approved by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda and can be purchased as a whole or shares in a project.
Examples of properties to buy in Antigua and Barbuda
A villa on the Caribbean coast in Falmouth Harbour. Price from $1.6 million
Share or apartment in a resort complex in St Philip. Price per share - $200,000
Shares, apartments and villas in a five-star hotel complex. Price per share - $200,000
Investors obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship to travel visa-free to 151 countries, including Schengen, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Investors can stay in Schengen states on a Caribbean passport for up to 90 days per half-year, and in the UK for up to 180 days per year.
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda also receive a tourist visa to the USA for 10 years and can optimize their taxation if they change their tax residency to a Caribbean one.
Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program by investment. If you wish to obtain a second passport, please seek advice from the investment program experts.
