Antigua and Barbuda vs St. Lucia Citizenship: Costs, and Investment Options

Steps to Apply for Antigua and Barbuda Passport

The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program is known for its efficiency and speed, with a simple process to apply:

1. Preliminary Assessment

Start by reaching out to professionals who specialize in citizenship by investment. They can guide you through the requirements and next steps of the process. This initial consultation often acts as a preliminary assessment.

2. Choose an Investment Option

With help from the experts, you can select an investment option that aligns with both your personal aspirations and business objectives, whether its a donation to the nation’s development, a business, real estate, or the university. 

3. Gather Your Documents

Consultants will take you through the program’s requirements and help ensure you have all the necessary documents, including: 

1. Application form
2. High-resolution color copies of your passport or ID
3. An authenticated copy of your birth certificate to confirm your birthplace and date
4. Criminal record certificate
5. Medical certificate
6. Professional reference
7. Marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable)
8. Affidavit of support for dependents
9. Licensed agent form
10. Bank statements

4. Apply for Citizenship

Once you have done your initial due diligence, your consultant can take care of the rest. They will submit your documents to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). 

5. CIU Reviews Application

The CIU, which has been tasked by the Antigua and Barbuda government to handle all the country’s citizenship by investment applications, then reviews your documents and will let you know if there are any additional requests or amendments. 

6. Preliminary Approval

The CIU will grant you preliminary approval if your application is in order and will invite you to make your final investment. This needs to be done within a specific timeframe, or you will have to start the process all over. 

7. Become a Citizen

You will receive a Certificate of Registration confirming your citizenship when your investment is complete. Use this to apply for your Antigua and Barbuda passport. 

Overview of St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment

The St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program was established in 2015 by the Saint Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF) to pay off its public debt and drive sustainable economic growth. You can choose from the following options:

St. Lucia National Action Bond Contribution

St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program is the only one in the region that offers a government bond investment option. Introduced in January 2023, investors have to deposit $300,000 into a refundable Government Bond. After a minimum holding period of five years, you can redeem the capital at 0% interest. 

St. Lucia National Economic Fund (NEF) Contribution

The St. Lucia NEF was established in 2015, along with the country’s citizenship by investment program, to ensure economic growth and development. Foreign investors can make a contribution to the fund to get a second passport. This varies based on the number of dependents included in the application. 

For a family of four applying, it’s $240,000. For every additional qualifying dependent under the age of 18 after that, it’s $10,000, or $20,000 if they are over 18. 

Real Estate Investment

St. Lucia’s real estate market has shown consistent growth in the last few years, with the average price per square meter for a house currently valued at $6,500. Investors must purchase a property within a pre-approved development project. For an individual, the investment amount is $300,000. For a couple, it is $140,000. For a family, it is $150,000. 

You only need to hold the real estate investments for five years, after which you can sell it for a high profit. 

Participating in an Enterprise Project

As part of St. Lucia’s efforts to grow its economy, it also gives investors the opportunity to participate in an approved enterprise project. 

• For an individual, the minimum amount is a $3.5 million investment. 
• For a joint investment, it is $6 million, with each investor contributing a minimum of $1 million. 

Steps to Apply for a St. Lucia Passport

With the help of consultants, St. Lucia’s citizenship by investment program can be just as efficient as Antigua and Barbuda’s process. Here are the steps: 

1. Pick a Consultant

Investing time in preparation and consulting experts who have been through this a thousand times will help ensure your application does not get rejected. It can also end up saving you time during the approval process. 

2. Fill in Application

Work with your migration consultant to ensure you have the right documents, including: 

1. Application form
2. High-resolution color copies of your passport or ID
3. An authenticated copy of your birth certificate to confirm your birthplace and date
4. Criminal record certificate
5. Medical certificate
6. Professional reference
7. Marriage or divorce certificates (if applicable)
8. Affidavit of support for dependents
9. Licensed agent form
10. Bank statements

Your consultants can help ensure that your application form is up to standard and stands out.

3. Submit Application

Once you have prepared all your forms and documentation, your consultants will submit it to the St. Lucia CIU, tasked with processing applications. Wait for their approval, and be prepared to address any additional requests. 

4. Make Investment

You will be invited to make the final investment once you have been approved. 

5. Receive Citizenship

When the final investment has cleared, you will receive a Certificate of Citizenship that you can use to get your passport. 

Key Differences Between Antigua and Barbuda vs. St. Lucia Passports

While the steps for receiving your Antigua and Barbuda or St. Lucia passports are similar, there are four key differences to look out for, including: 

1. Stay Requirements

With the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program, you have to visit the country for five consecutive days within the first five years of receiving your citizenship. St. Lucia, on the other hand, has no stay requirements. Neither country requires investors to become residents. 

2. Visa-free Access

Antigua and Barbuda offers visa-free access to 150 other countries via its various international treaties, whereas St. Lucia offers 146. 

3. Approval Time

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment process usually takes between four to six months, whereas St. Lucia can be quicker; between three and six months. 

4. Renewal Frequency

Antigua and Barbuda’s passport has to be renewed after the first five years, and again every 10 years after that. St. Lucia’s passport only has to be renewed every 10 years. 

The Benefits of Antigua and Barbuda Passport

In addition to being part of the Caribbean countries, the beautiful scenery, and the nation’s growing economy, Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program offers the following benefits: 

1. International Access

You can travel visa-free to over 151 countries (the UK, Schengen Area, Hong Kong, and Singapore) with an Antigua and Barbuda passport. You also receive a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa to the United States (US) for 10 years. 

2. Easy Banking

Antigua and Barbuda’s financial sector outshines the other Eastern Caribbean nations’, with investors allowed to open European bank accounts. This helps with currency control and international banking costs.

3. Return on Investment

You can either rent out the property you’ve invested in, with yields ranging between 2% and 5% per year, or you can sell it for a profit after five years of ownership. 

4. Favorable Tax Policies

After spending 183 days per year in the country, investors can qualify as tax residents, enjoying Antigua and Barbuda’s well-known investor-friendly tax system. Citizens don’t have to pay income, capital gains, wealth, or inheritance tax. 

5. Stable Social and Political Environment

With a free and fair democratic political system, a stable macroeconomic environment, and various socioeconomic development initiatives in place, Antigua and Barbuda has a stable social and political climate. This is supported by an independent judicial system, as well as the country’s membership in an integrated OECS legal system. 

6. Dual Citizenship

You do not have to renounce your current nationality when you apply for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. 

7. Includes Family 

Investors can include family members and other eligible dependents in their Antigua and Barbuda citizenship application. Spouses, children under 30, parents over 55, and even siblings under 18 can all get citizenship.

8. Quality of Life

Citizens can also make use of Antigua and Barbuda’s state-of-the-art healthcare and education systems, as well as the many new tourism offerings. 

The Benefits of St. Lucia Passport

A St. Lucia citizenship also offers investors various benefits, including: 

1. International Access

St. Lucia citizens can travel to 146 other countries (including the Schengen area, the UK, and Hong Kong) without a visa. You also receive a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa to the United States (US) for 10 years. 

2. Easy Business

Business-friendly policies make it easy for investors to set up a company in St. Lucia, open bank accounts for international business, and conduct foreign currency transactions with global partners. 

3. Return on Investment

Investors can sell both real estate and government bonds for a profit after five years of ownership. You can also earn a rental income of 2% to 5% per year on any property you’ve purchased. 

4. Favorable Tax Policies

St. Lucia’s citizens don’t have to pay any capital gains, inheritance, wealth, or income taxes. 

5. Dual Citizenship   

St. Lucia allows you to hold a dual citizenship, which means you can retain your first passport. 

6. Includes Family 

Investors can include family members and other eligible dependents in their St. Lucia citizenship application. Spouses, children under 30, parents over 55, and even siblings under 18 can all get citizenship.

7. Quality of Life

St. Lucia boasts two state-of-the-art hospitals, as well as reputable education, banking and security systems that promise a high quality of life.  

How to Choose Between Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia Citizenship

There are many factors to consider when you are choosing between Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia citizenship, but it will ultimately come down to your specific needs.

Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program is more popular with families, largely due to the UWI investment option offering both a global education and six family members’ citizenship. It also has the most affordable options for families, consistent at $230,000 – no matter if you are an individual, a couple, or a family of five.

The Antigua and Barbuda passport ranks higher on the Global Passport Index (24) than St. Lucia (27), offering access to 150 other countries, including the US. St. Lucia only provides access to 146 countries, which doesn’t include the US.

Antigua and Barbuda also has no personal tax on foreign income, whereas St. Lucia charges 30%. St. Lucia’s corporate income tax is higher, at 30% vs. 25%, but charges less when it comes to stamp duty (2% vs 2.5%) and social security contributions (10% vs 13%).

St. Lucia has more investment opportunities than Antigua and Barbuda, offering both government bonds and enterprise investment opportunities. The government bond is refundable, which offers investors guaranteed returns after five years of ownership. 

So while Antigua and Barbuda is a good option for investors looking after their family legacy, St. Lucia is a better option for investors wanting high returns and business opportunities. 

How Mirabello Consultancy Can Assist You in Obtaining Antigua and Barbuda or St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship

Mirabelhlo Consultancy specializes in assisting global investors with personalized solutions that align with their financial and lifestyle objectives. With years of experience helping foreign investors navigate the Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia citizenship programs, we provide end-to-end support, ensuring all your paperwork is in order and providing insights into real estate opportunities, business ventures, and fund contributions. We also liaise with government agencies to expedite the application.