How Strong is the Antigua and Barbuda Passport?

Antigua and Barbuda is a stunning island chain in the Caribbean, consisting of two mainlands and a few smaller islands. This gorgeous place has been a hotspot for travellers for decades due to its photogenic views and exciting culture. Along with its scenic landscapes and incredible people, it also boasts a really powerful passport.

The idea of getting a second passport is gaining popularity among investors. A strong second passport gives individuals the chance to diversify their investments, optimise their taxes, and satisfy their wanderlust with visa-free access to multiple countries. In this blog, we will look at why investors should choose Antigua and Barbuda, examine what influences its passport power, and explore the advantages of its passport.

Antigua and Barbuda Passport

1. What Makes the Antigua and Barbuda Islands So Special

Antigua and Barbuda is a stunning Caribbean island destination which has a lot on offer for tourists and investors alike. Let’s start with its pristine beauty. Antigua and Barbuda boasts some of the most beautiful coastlines in all of the Caribbean. Made up of powdery soft sand and sky blue waters, these picturesque beaches are the perfect destination to relax and watch all your troubles melt away.

In fact, this island chain actually has 365 beaches littered across an abundant coastline! This allows people to enjoy exciting water sports as well, such as scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and deep-sea fishing. 

Moreover, Antigua and Barbuda islands have a rich and varied history which is shaped by a melting pot of different cultures. Over the years, these islands have been inhabited by indigenous people, European colonisers as well as African settlers. All of these cultures make it the vibrant place it is today. 

Lastly, anyone who visits Antigua and Barbuda must experience its electrifying carnival. This carnival is also known as “The Caribbean’s Greatest Summer Festival” and does its name justice! It is a captivating parade of colourful dresses, lively music, delicious food and traditional dances. Held every year in July, this carnival attracts individuals from all over the globe. It is yet another reason to apply for Antigua’s passport and make this island chain your home away from home. 

2. Antigua and Barbuda Visa Free Countries

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3. How Strong is the Antigua and Barbuda Passport

A passport is instrumental in determining a person’s ability to travel the world and explore different countries. A strong passport significantly enhances one’s international mobility, opening doors to new opportunities and prospects. 

The power of Antigua and Barbuda’s passport is rated quite well internationally. It is accepted worldwide – with over 150 destinations offering visa-free access to this passport. This means that Antigua’s passport ranks pretty high on the global passport ranking spectrum, coming in at an impressive 29th globally. 

This allows Antigua and Berbuda’s passport holders with significant international mobility, with individuals enjoying visa-free global access to countries such as the United Kingdom, Singapore, Brazil, and all the countries in the European Union, just to name a few. The full list is presented at the bottom of this blog.

This international mobility makes the Antigua and Barbuda passport highly desirable to investors. For starters, citizens of these islands don’t need to involve themselves in the tedious and costly procedure of obtaining visas beforehand. This affords them an air of flexibility when making travel plans. Citizens can also pursue international job opportunities and conduct business dealings worldwide with ease.

The strength of the Antigua and Barbuda island’s passport is determined relative to other passports and their acceptability in the world. The ranking takes into account all the countries that offer Antiguan passport holders visa-free access, which nations allow visa on arrival, and which countries are happy to grant an electronic travel authorisation (eTA) to its citizens. All things considered, the Antiguan passport is hotly desired due to its power and global standing.  

4. What are The Factors That Influence Antigua and Barbuda’s Passport Strength

The power ranking of any nation’s passport is a fluctuating phenomenon, which changes over time due to a host of different variables. Antigua and Barbuda’s passport is no different in this aspect. A variety of key factors determine the power of the Antiguan passport. If you wish to obtain a second passport from Antigua and Barbuda and become a dual citizen, it is essential you understand the nuances of what makes this passport so strong.  

Let’s look at some of the parameters that help determine the strength of Antigua and Barbuda’s passports.

• Geopolitics in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda is not a major player on the international political scale. Geopolitics in this island nation predominantly involves the country’s relationship with its regional neighbours in the Caribbean. Antigua and Barbuda is a sitting member of several organisations and treaties, namely the  CARICOM (Caribbean Community) as well as OECS (Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States). 

The country shares positive bilateral agreements and diplomatic ties with all its Caribbean neighbours that promote and facilitate trade, economic development, cooperation on various global issues, and the pooling of resources among member states. All of these help boost the power of Antigua’s passport. 

• Antigua and Barbuda’s GDP Per Capita 

Another determinant of a nation’s passport power is income and GDP per capita. Typically, the higher the GDP (gross domestic product) per capita, the more globally acceptable the country’s passport is. This is because it incentivises people from higher-income countries to visit developing ones, thereby boosting the local economy. 

The GDP of this tiny island nation is an impressive $18,244 as of 2023. This is actually higher than other, more developed nations such as Croatia, Poland, Russia, and China. This high GDP per capita is responsible for the international acceptability of Antigua and Barbuda’s passport. 

• Antigua and Barbuda’s Political Climate

The political climate of a country plays a significant role in the strength and acceptability of its passport on a global scale. If the country is going through political turmoil, it drastically reduces the strength of its passport because it becomes less acceptable by other nations internationally. Conversely, countries that have stable governments with no political rifts and upheavals will hence have passports that rank higher in the power index. 

In rare cases, countries that don’t share great ties with each other will impose travel restrictions on the other’s citizens. For example, Israeli citizens unfortunately have travel bans imposed on them that prevent visits to most Middle Eastern provinces. This is where a second passport, especially from a country like Antigua and Barbuda, is so precious. 

When it comes to the citizens of Antigua and Barbuda islands, they needn’t worry about any travel restrictions. The political climate in the country is stable, and it doesn’t have any existing hostilities with any nations in the international arena. 

This means that Antigua and Barbuda’s passport holders enjoy a greater level of freedom and mobility to explore the world and pursue better business opportunities. 

5. Antigua and Barbuda Passport Benefits

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda welcome a wide variety of incredible advantages that are afforded to them. The benefits of being an Antigua and Barbuda passport holder go beyond the pristine beaches and picturesque coastlines. Individuals with this passport can also take advantage of the government’s lucrative taxation schemes, better real-estate and investment opportunities, visa-free access to more than 150 countries, and their seamless citizenship by investment programs. 

1. Antigua and Barbuda has Lax Taxation Laws

The tax system of this country is one of the most alluring factors for investors and businessmen to incentivise them to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. 

For example, this island nation doesn’t impose any taxes on international companies that are registered in the country. Founders can operate businesses without the inconvenience of being taxed on their profits, share dividends or interest earned! Moreover, Antigua and Barbuda also has no income tax, capital gains tax, gift tax or even inheritance tax laws.

This means that investors and passport holders of this nation can benefit greatly from these lucrative laws and use that extra money to reinvest it back into the company and help it grow. This serves as beneficial for the government of Antigua and Barbuda as well, as it encourages foreign investments, thereby lifting the country’s economy and creating more jobs for the local population. 

2. Passport Holders Have Lots of Investment Options

Investors looking to diversify their assets have a plethora of investment opportunities in Antigua and Barbuda. Individuals looking to expand their real estate portfolio can purchase land or shares in existing properties here. The minimum investment value varies depending on the region on the island but averages approximately $100,000. 

This amount is actually made to be refundable by the government as investors are free to then sell their stake in the property after a set number of years, thereby recouping their whole investment amount, and perhaps even turning a profit. 

Investing in Antigua is a quick way to expedite the passport process. Moreover, investing in real estate also offers investors some tax benefits as well as other subsidies from the state government for helping the country. 

3. Antigua and Barbuda’s Family Investment Options

Did you know that Antigua and Barbuda is actually the sole country in the Caribbean with an investment option that is specifically tailored to families with six or more members?

That’s correct! Under this program, families need to invest $150,000 to the University of West Indies Fund. Doing so will allow family members to study at the university for free for an entire year. The University of West Indies is an offshoot of the University of London and regularly ranks as one of the most elite universities in the world.  

4. Open European Bank Accounts

One more benefit of getting a passport from Antigua and Barbuda is that holders can easily and seamlessly open a European bank account. This is because of the positive diplomatic ties this island nation has with the European Union, facilitating faster and more economical currency transactions. Moreover, Antigua and Barbuda citizens can also keep their savings in hard currencies at these banks. 

This is especially useful for companies registered in the island nation who wish to carry out dealing and business transactions internationally.

1. Antigua and Barbuda’s Golden Passport Program

Antigua and Barbuda offers some exciting and lucrative advantages of its citizenship by investment (CBI) program. Often referred to as the ‘Golden Passport Program’, this scheme is highly sought after by investors looking to gain a second passport. 

The Antigua and Barbuda CBI was actually started only in 2013. This makes it one of the most recent citizenship-by-investment programs in the Caribbeans. Despite it being relatively new, it offers some incredible benefits.

Let’s explore some of the investment options for individuals seeking to gain a stronger second passport. 

• $100,000 Investment Amount Only

To become a citizen of this stunning island nation, investors are only required to contribute $100,000 to the National Development Fund of Antigua and Barbuda. This amount, however is non-refundable. 

• Refundable Real Estate Investment

Investors can also become citizens of Antigua and Barbuda by investing in real estate. Individuals need to buy land or a stake in property worth $200,000. This amount is higher than if they were to contribute directly to the National Development Fund, but there is a catch. This amount is refundable! 

Investors can sell their stake after five years and potentially recoup their original investment amount. Moreover, should individuals want, they can even buy a property and get rent on that asset for five years without being taxed. 

• University of West Indies Fund

Individuals can also become citizens by investing in the University of West Indies Fund. This is especially helpful for families with six members or more. In fact, it’s the only investment program of its kind specially designed for large families. Moreover, on top of getting citizenship, this scheme also provides one family member free tuition for an entire year at the university!

• No History or Language Exam

Lastly, while most CBI programs ask citizens to pass a citizenship test based on the country’s history and language, no such exam is involved here. Individuals don’t need to go through the tedious process of studying for an exam or learning an entirely new language. 

Why Choose Passport Legacy? 

Are you looking to apply for an Antigua and Barbuda passport? Then contact Passport Legacy today. Passport Legacy is one of the best investments by citizenship firms. With renowned experts, international tie-ups, and elite services, they are perfectly placed to help you make your application a resounding success.

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