Growing applications for citizenship through investment in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda has released the latest information on the Citizenship by Investment Program (CIP) for 2023 and the first half of 2024, proving the impressive growth in popularity of this method of obtaining a passport. The number of applications for participation has broken all previous records, which promises to make this the most prosperous year in its history.

What is the reason for the record increase in requests?

From January to June of this year, businessmen submitted 739 applications for CIP, which is 8% more than last year, and is the highest figure for the entire duration of the program. The reason for the surge was the postponement of the planned increase in the minimum investment threshold to meet the standards of the Caribbean region from July to August, which caused a stir among depositors.

In 2024, 622 new passports were issued. The forecast assumes that by the end of the year the number will be 1,244. In 2023, 1,191 were issued, which, despite a decrease of 11.5% compared to 2022, corresponds to the average for the previous five years.

What kind of investments were there?

A year ago, the number of applications was 685, which is 40% more than in 2022, with its 489 applications. Most of the participants (83%) She donated to the National Development Fund (NDF), preserving the tradition, at the same time, the purchase of real estate amounted to only 15%.

The NDF contribution for the first six months of 2024 reached $62,975,000, which is 65% more than the previous six-month maximum. The total income of the fund in 2023 was $55.475 million, improving the results of 2022 by 46%.

National distribution

Most of the applications came from Chinese investors (12%), followed by American citizens (11%) and residents of Nigeria (9%). Interest from Turks has also increased markedly, accounting for 6% of the total number of requests, while traditional markets, with the exception of Americans and Nigerians, show a decline in share.

CIP remains an important source of income for the country, generating about 60% of non-tax revenues. The budget statement did not specify the exact amount of revenue for 2023, but $67 million is projected.

You can arrive in the Caribbean state on a digital nomad visa. Details of special programs for living and working are collected on the website visa-digital-nomad.com.