Antigua and Barbuda to Grant Citizenship to More Dependents

Last week, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit reported that the government has agreed to broaden the criteria of acceptance for dependents of applicants. As a result, applicants will now receive a passport for dependents who fell outside the terms before. Apart from raising the age limit for children and lowering it for parents and grandparents, dependents with a disability will now also receive citizenship. Moreover, future spouses and children will also have easier access to Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.

Ranked among the world’s top five Citizenship by Investment Programs, the Antigua and Barbuda CBI has just got more attractive. Last week, the CIU (Citizenship by Investment Unit) reported that the Antigua and Barbuda government accepted a larger group of dependents into the scheme, thus making passport access freer and the program more attractive. From now on, the following dependents can become part of the investor’s quest for citizenship.

• Under 30-year old, financially dependent child of the applicant or spouse also qualifies. Previously, the cut-off age was 28.
• A child of the applicant or spouse who is over 18 years of age, has a mental or physical disability and is living with and relying on the applicant or spouse can be part of the application.
• Whereas before, financially dependent parents or grandparents had to be over 58 to be eligible, the new age is 55, meaning parents or grandparents of the applicant or spouse who are above the age of 55 can be part of the application.
• From now on, unmarried brothers and sisters of the applicant or spouse can also join the application.
• With an additional investment of US $50,000, a future spouse of the applicant also becomes eligible for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
• If a child who is financially reliant on the applicant marries, the spouse can also access an Antigua and Barbuda passport.
• The future children of financially dependent children of the applicant obtain citizenship with an investment of US $10,000 for kids up to five and US $20,000 for children between six and 17.

Interestingly, the Cabinet also agreed that there should be no time limit as to when a dependent can join the application process. What is more, some of the investment thresholds are also lower now. For example, the fee for adding any adult dependent has been reduced from US $75,000 to US $50,000. Fees to add kids are US $10,000 for the under-fives and US $20,000 for six-17-year olds.

These new, broader criteria will further enhance the international standing of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment scheme. Not only are the investment thresholds agreeably low, but now, adding dependents is possible anytime. Whereas with some CBIs the terms for adding siblings and dependents are narrow, the Antigua and Barbuda CIU is leading the way in making this process more agreeable.

The CIU has stressed that it is available to provide support for any applicants requiring help.

No doubt, the new, improved Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment scheme will excite many investors seeking to secure a passport in a safe and beautiful country.