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About 365 snow-white beaches, well-developed tourist infrastructure and transportation, preserved wild nature — all this can be found in Antigua and Barbuda.
But it is not the only thing that attracts prosperous businessmen and VIPs to this country. Antigua and Barbuda offers citizenship by investment. What opportunities does the second passport provide? What should an investor know about the country before applying for the Caribbean citizenship? You will find answers to these and some other questions in this article.
The country of Antigua and Barbuda consists of three islands. Antigua is the main tourist site with numerous luxury hotels, fashionable restaurants and private villas. Barbuda is a wild nature resort. And Redonda is a tiny uninhabited rocky island.
The islands nature is represented by small hills covered by green tropical forests, numerous beaches and cozy bays protected from storms by coral reefs. A mild climate and the picturesque landscapes ensure wonderful conditions for life and leisure throughout the whole year.
Social inequality can be clearly observed here. The majority of people live rather poorly. There is luxury property almost everywhere, and poor men’s huts can be found even in the poshest area, the English Harbour. The only exceptions are closed villages and private clubs.
The next topic is medicine. The level of health services is quite high and is based on the British standards. The main hospital of the country is located in St. John’s. Apart from that, one can find several private clinics in the country. However, for advanced treatment one should go to Miami (transportation to the USA is included in an insurance policy).
As agriculture is not Antigua’s strength, products are mostly imported from the USA, Canada and Europe.
It is easy to reach Antigua from Europe and North America. The country has one international airport – V.C. Bird International Airport. In 2015, a new terminal was opened in Antigua’s airport, and it is considered to be the most modern and the largest one in the region. One can get to Barbuda with the help of local airlines that land at Barbuda Codrington Airport.
Antigua and Barbuda ports welcome cruise ships, transport vessels and private yachts. The main marines for superyachts are English Harbour and Falmouth.
According to the official data, in 2015 about 1,000,000 tourists visited Antigua. The majority of them, which is 750,000 people, preferred to reach the islands by means of huge floating hotels or sailing under their own sails. The rest came by a plane. Such tendency has persisted for several years.
Education standards in Antigua and Barbuda are high. The literacy rate in the country is over 90%.
School education is free and compulsory for children from 5 to 16. The teaching process is carried out in English, which gives kids the opportunity to continue further education in the United Kingdom or any other English-speaking country. Antigua’s best school is Island Academy. The majority of students here are children of expats. Education system in Antigua is built with focus on the British and Canadian academic standards. Teachers from the UK and North America work here. Students have the opportunity to receive an internationally recognized Bachelor’s degree that will allow them to enter colleges of the Commonwealth countries under a simplified procedure.
The government actively invests resources in the development of educational facilities and science. With the help of these contributions, the American University of Antigua that is preparing highly qualified medical workers was established there. Not only locals attend the university. Candidates from Canada, USA and other countries apply to study here.
Antigua and Barbuda is one of the best places in the Caribbean for sailing. Since the sixties of the last century, the country has annually held the oldest Caribbean regatta, Antigua Sailing Week. It attracts professional and amateur yachtsmen. Apart from this, every year such events as Antigua Classic Yacht Regatta race and Antigua Charter Yacht Show take place in the country.
Such world celebrities as media mogul Oprah Winfrey, designer Giorgio Armani, Italy’s ex-PM Silvio Berlusconi, musician Eric Clapton choose Antigua to live in and rest.
The investor can count on receiving the second passport, if he/she buys a villa on the islands with a minimum value of $400,000. An alternative to that is to contribute at least $100,000 to the government fund (this amount includes temporary discount valid until October 2018). Residents of Antigua are free to travel to more than 130 countries of the world. The Caribbean passport is a step towards a long-term US visa, prestigious European banks and, consequently, towards asset protection. Moreover, Antigua offers the opportunity to change tax residence.
Although the majority of investors don’t plan to settle down in the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda can be considered as an alternative country of residence. There is nothing unnecessary on the islands, but, at the same time, you can find anything you need for a comfortable life.
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