Residence permit of Antigua and Barbuda

The microstate on the islands of Antigua and Barbuda is a place destined for tourism, recreation, study and permanent residence. The islands are part of the CARICOM community with a single trade and economic market.

Well-established air links with Europe and America, liberal immigration policies attract thousands and thousands of foreigners. They seek to obtain a residence permit, naturalize and become citizens together with their family members in 7 years.

The state has become a popular location for wealthy people with legally earned capital who have not fallen under sanctions. They immediately buy status without physical presence and become bipatrides* (*citizens with dual citizenship). Blue passports open access to offshore banks, social privileges of the islanders. As a result of subsidies, there have been positive economic changes in the country that have increased immigration attractiveness.

Types of residence permit

Relocants planning to stay in Antigua and Barbuda for a long time, after entering for a period of 60 days, apply for permit renewal.

The law does not apply to holders of visas from the United States, Canada, Schengen countries, or the United Kingdom. They can legally live up to six months. For the rest, there are different visa programs in the territory.

Term of residence permit:

• Short-term permits are issued for 3 months.
• Long-term multiple-entry, work and family – for a year.
• Student and multi visa for investors/ businessmen – for 2 years.
• A temporary residence permit is issued for a period up to 3 years.

The waiting time is 3 months. Plastic cards replace internal passports.

Residence permit in exchange of the purchase of real estate

The government offers businessmen and financially wealthy cosmopolitans to invest in residential and commercial facilities. According to the program, investors and families immediately become citizens within 5-6 months. They have the right to dispose of the property at their discretion, but not to sell it for 5 years.

Necessary justifications

To obtain the status, foreigners are obliged to fulfill the following conditions:

• reliably write a financial declaration;
• pass international database check;
• buy a house, hotel or share for $400,000 in a resort complex from the developers' list; 
• alternatively, enter into a partnership agreement to purchase one or two properties with an investment of $325,000 each.

List of documents

Investors are handled by the CIU unit. The application is rejected when specifying inaccurate facts and concealing personal information.

The file includes:

• color scans of passports of program participants;
• 8 photos each;
• Due Diligence certificate on the legality of the capital origin;
• a receipt for payments of funds;
• civil status document;
• Drivers’ license copies; 
• bank statement on the deposit amount;
• payment of the state fee.

Student residence permit

A study visa allows young people to take a course of study at the University of the West Indies, a UHSA commercial institution for the training of doctors, St. John's Business College, and a technical college. The country understands the importance of education and makes it accessible to students with different incomes. Successful young people receive state grants, scholarships from educational institutions, sponsors, and foundations.

Necessary justifications

Visas are issued to financially secure young people:

• to take a course at a language school;
• study at the University of the West Indies;
• commercial medical institution UHSA of America;
• st. John's College of Business;
• technical or pedagogical college.

List of documents

Study Visas are issued on the basis of an official notice of admission to the university.

The set of basic documents includes:

• the letter of the educational institution;
• a completed visa form;
• copy of the passport;
• civil status document;
• a receipt for tuition fees;
• medical insurance; 
• route of the trip.

Residence permit for family reunification

Different types of family visas are available to restore family ties. Relative/adopted children who are financially supported by parents, as well as brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers of applicants have chances for residence.

The program allows the applicant to stay in the Caribbean for 2 years. At the end of the term, immigrants have the right to apply for permanent residence. 

Necessary justifications

The country's migration policy is loyal to foreigners and allows obtaining residence:

• native/adopted children who are financially supported by their parents;
• close relatives: brothers, sisters, fathers and mothers of the applicants.

List of documents

First, applicants apply for a visa at the Antigua and Barbuda embassy/ consulate in their home country.

List of required papers:

• copies of passports;
• completed application forms;
• scan of the residence permit of a resident;
• a bank statement or sponsorship letter from the inviting party;
• certificates of residence; 
• evidence of non-conviction for adult applicants;
• receipt of the consular fee.

Residence permit by marriage

Foreigners in union with residents of Antigua and Barbuda can become full-fledged citizens in 3 years. The authorities do not consider cohabitation agreements confirming a civil marriage. Spouses with passports of other countries on this basis have the right to undergo a reduced period of naturalization and obtain status.

When children are born, the file is submitted after a year of living together on the island.

Necessary justifications

The below mentioned may apply for the grant:

• official spouses with passports of different countries;
• with a registered marriage in the territory of the state and abroad;
• young parents with legally born children.

List of documents

Candidates are required to:

• a certificate of registration at the address;
• scan of the first page of the applicant;
• a photocopy of the resident's card;
• application of the established form;
• proof of solvency;
• payment of state duty;
• medical health certificate. 

Residence permit for financially independent expats

The country has all the conditions for self-employed, freelancers and people of liberal professions working remotely. To expand the community of digital nomads, Nomad Digital Residence was opened. The program offers two-year visas with the possibility of renewal, allowing to enjoy the social benefits of the islanders.

Necessary justifications

Conditions for applying for a visa:

• reaching the age of 18;
• income of $50,000 per year or sponsorship;
• work in the staff of a foreign company;
• contract with a foreign legal entity or a certificate of self-employment.

List of documents

You can apply and upload documents on the website of the Migration Department.

The file should contain:

• 2 photos; 
• a color copy of the passport page with personal data;
• contract with a foreign legal entity or a certificate of self-employment; 
• security clearance;
• confirmation of funds on the account, in case of dependency – kinship with the sponsor;
• police clearance certificate;
• private health insurance.

Residence permit for work

Permits for foreign citizens are issued by the Employment Service of the Ministry of Labour. To obtain a vacancy, immigrants first pass an interview with employers, and justify the reasons for admission to the vacant position. If the employer agrees, he/she submits applications for the issuance of a working certificate.

List of documents

• a copy of the passport and photo; 
• certified translation of metrics;
• proof of residence on the island; 
• proof of financial solvency;
• a certificate from the local police stating that the applicant has no criminal record;
• scan of the diploma in English with the signature of a notary;
• employer's request;
• receipt of state duty.

Residence permit for business and individual entrepreneurship

Favorable conditions for entrepreneurial activity have been created on the island. It has a loyal tax policy, simple business registration. Received profits in the home country are not subject to taxes. The Caribbean Commonwealth country offers different investment options for obtaining economic citizenship.

Necessary justifications

The Caribbean Commonwealth country offers different investment options for obtaining economic citizenship:

• co-investment with the introduction of subsidies of $400,000 in local business with shares of $5 million;
• self-funding of at least $1.5 million;
• non-refundable sponsorship to the National Development Fund in the amount of $100,000. 

List of documents

The program allows 3 people in the application. When applying for status for 5 people, the fee increases to $125,000, and the processing fee increases from $10,000 to $15,000 for each dependent.

File:

• certified copies of passports and metrics for children;
• marriage certificate; 
• military identity card (for males); 
• 8 photos; 
• diplomas, certificates of higher qualification;
• deposit amount; 
• a recommendation from the bank;
• a certificate from the place of residence or a lease/purchase agreement.

Renewal of residence permit

Temporary residents are extended the terms 3 times, provided that they stay half the term on the territory. The application is submitted 3 months before the end date of the permit.

What consequences can you face

Expats lose their status if they are absent from the country for more than 6 months a year or if a criminal case is opened. Each time, applicants must justify the purpose of the stay in order to convince the immigration officer to sign.

Students are not included in this number. The visa will be prolonged without any problems for the duration of study. They also have the right to apply for a Class A plastic card based on a continuous residence of 4 years.

Foreigners can also change grounds after marriage, employment. Each time they submit an updated package. It depends on the type of residence permit.

The basic set of documents includes:

• a work permit or a certificate from the university;
• receipts for tax payments; 
• a certificate from the police;
• health  certificate. 

The cost of renewing a residence permit for 3 months for citizens from countries outside CARICOM is XCD 150, application processing is XCD 50, work permit is XCD 75. For the rest, the prices are 2 times higher. The cost of the nomad's application is $1,500, for two dependents – $3,000. Investor file processing – $30,000. The applicants are required to pay for due diligence, interviews, and other fees.