The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Hon. Gaston Browne, in an interview to Official CIP magazine -The Citizens Magazine Jan 2019 edition, said, he expects CIP to break records in 2019.
“In 2019 we also expect our Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP) to continue breaking records. In the
first six months of last year, we had the greatest volume of applicants in the history of the programme. There are no doubts that our approach to improving the programme, which includes the creation of a new investment option.
The University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund, is paying off. Antigua & Barbuda now boasts the best CIP programme in the Caribbean and beyond.”
The Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda (CIU) has also answered several questions to CBI applicants related to citizenship by investment programme.
What attracts in Antigua and Barbuda?
The attraction of Antigua & Barbuda as a destination for yachtsmen and sailors dates back to 1493, when Christopher Columbus first laid eyes on these two jewels. Today, our nation continues to attract thousands to its shores, demonstrated by a continual growth in visitor arrivals throughout 2018. This year, more than one million visitors will come by air and sea in order to experience the joys that modern Antigua & Barbuda offers.
Why does antigua & Barbuda have a citizenship by investment program?
The program was introduced to promote economic growth, attract real estate development, increase foreign direct investment to the country, support the development of infrastructure and provide for a sustainable future.
how many visa-free countries can I travel to as a citizen of antigua & Barbuda?
You can travel to more than 150 countries without requiring a visa, including the EU and Schengen countries, Hong Kong and Singapore.
What is the processing time?
Processing your application should take from 3 to 6 months.
Who can apply for citizenship?
To apply for the citizenship program in Antigua & Barbuda, you must be at least 18 years of age, be of a good character with no criminal record, and have good health.
Do I need to speak english to apply for citizenship?
You don’t need to speak English to be an applicant.
Who can be included on the application?
Your dependent children under 28 and dependent parents over 58 can be included within the application.
how do you conduct the due diligence and vetting of applicants?
There are no interviews. However, all applicants undergo rigorous screening prior to consideration by the Citizenship by Investment Unit. Complete files will be forwarded to an international, unbiased third- party due diligence service provider who will conduct detailed background checks on all applicants before the application is approved.
What happens once my application has been accepted?
A certificate of registration of citizenship will be issued and submitted to the passport office. Your authorized agent/representative will forward your passports and Citizenship Certificate to you.
Do I need to travel to Antigua & Barbuda to complete the process?
The application process can be made from your country of residence. Once your application is successful and you have received your passport, you must travel to Antigua & Barbuda to take your oath or affirmation of allegiance. You are entitled to take up full-time residence in Antigua & Barbuda at any time you wish.
Does antigua & Barbuda recognise dual citizenship?
There are no restrictions on dual citizenship in Antigua & Barbuda.
For how many years will my passport be valid for?
The passport will be valid for a period of 5 years and is renewable for a period of 10 years thereafter, provided that the requirements are met, which includes spending a minimum of five days in the country during this period after becoming a citizen.
Can I invest with my Bitcoins or other cryptocurrencies?
This is in the pipeline but has not yet been established.
In addition to the citizenship by investment program does antigua & Barbuda have a tax residency program?
Antigua & Barbuda does not currently offer a tax residency program.
Source: http://cip.gov.ag/antigua-barbuda-the-citizen-jan-2019/
