Antigua & Barbuda Vs St. Kitts & Nevis: Which Citizenship Reigns Supreme?

Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis are two of the five Caribbean countries that offer citizenship by investment programs. These programs allow individuals to gain citizenship and a passport by investing a certain amount of money in the country. The two countries have a lot of similarities, such as their picturesque locations, pleasant climates, and thriving economies. They also offer visa-free travel to over 150 countries worldwide, including the UK and the EU's Schengen area. However, there are some differences between the two countries' programs that potential applicants should consider. For example, St Kitts and Nevis is a little more costly, while Antigua and Barbuda has slower processing times. Additionally, Antigua and Barbuda offers entry to Qatar, while St Kitts and Nevis does not. The decision between the two ultimately depends on the individual's preferences, goals, and circumstances.

Visa-free travel

When it comes to visa-free travel, both Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis offer a lot of freedom. Both passports offer visa-free travel to more than 130 countries, including the UK and Europe. However, there are some differences.

Antigua and Barbuda

The Antigua and Barbuda passport offers visa-free travel to 150 countries, including the UK, the EU's Schengen area, Singapore, and Hong Kong. Antigua and Barbuda citizens can also travel to China without a visa, thanks to a recent bilateral agreement between the two countries.

St Kitts and Nevis

Citizens of St Kitts and Nevis can travel to 156 states visa-free, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.

Comparison

While St Kitts and Nevis has more visa-free countries, the Antigua and Barbuda passport offers entry to some places that St Kitts and Nevis does not, such as Qatar and China. Both passports offer visa-free travel to popular destinations, including the US, where Caribbean citizens get 10-year B-1/B-2 visitor visas.

Cost

The cost of obtaining citizenship in either St Kitts and Nevis or Antigua and Barbuda is a key consideration when deciding between the two. Both countries offer citizenship-by-investment (CBI) programs, which allow individuals to gain citizenship by investing in the country's economy. However, the costs of these programs can vary.

For St Kitts and Nevis, the citizenship-by-investment program typically requires a minimum investment of $150,000, although there are different routes with varying costs. The cheapest route is to donate a non-refundable amount of $150,000 to the Sustainable Growth Fund (SGF) as a single applicant. Alternatively, investing in pre-approved real estate developments can cost a minimum of $400,000, and contributing to a government-approved Public Benefit Project starts at $250,000.

In comparison, Antigua and Barbuda's CBI program offers more affordable options. The cheapest route is to contribute at least $100,000 to the National Development Fund (NDF) for a family of up to four people. A single applicant can invest in approved real estate projects starting from $400,000, or they can choose to invest at least $1,500,000 directly into an eligible business.

It is worth noting that the costs of obtaining citizenship in both countries go beyond the initial investment. There are also government fees, due diligence fees, and renewal fees for passports. Antigua has been described as having lower government fees and due diligence fees compared to St Kitts. The renewal cost for a St Kitts and Nevis passport is $370, while Antigua and Barbuda charges $1,000 for passport renewal.

When it comes to the overall cost of living, both St Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua and Barbuda are considered more expensive than other Caribbean nations. However, the cost of living in these countries is still more affordable than in the US or the UK.

In summary, while both countries offer attractive CBI programs, Antigua and Barbuda typically offers lower costs for the initial investment and government fees. St Kitts and Nevis may have a higher minimum contribution amount, but it is important to consider the additional fees and costs associated with each program when making a decision.

Other Factors to Consider

In addition to the cost, there are several other factors to consider when deciding between St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda for citizenship:

• Visa-Free Travel: Both countries offer visa-free travel to over 150 countries, including the EU, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong. However, there are some differences in the specific countries each passport provides access to. For example, Antigua and Barbuda citizens can enter China without a visa, while St Kitts and Nevis citizens have access to more European countries.
• Processing Time: The processing time for citizenship applications varies between the two countries. Antigua and Barbuda's program may grant citizenship in as little as 4 to 5 months, while St Kitts and Nevis typically takes around 12 months.
• Investment Options: Both countries offer multiple investment options, including non-refundable contributions to their national development funds and investments in real estate. Antigua and Barbuda provides more real estate investment opportunities, with 44 government-approved projects.
• Eligibility and Requirements: The eligibility requirements for both programs are similar, with no language or residency requirements. However, Antigua and Barbuda allows siblings and grandparents to be included in the program, while St Kitts and Nevis does not.
• Taxes: Both countries offer favourable tax environments, with no income tax, capital gains tax, or wealth tax. Antigua and Barbuda also has no additional fees on imported capital or profits from offshore enterprises.

Investment options

Both St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda offer citizenship by investment programs, which allow individuals to obtain citizenship in exchange for investing in the country. These programs are particularly attractive to wealthy individuals seeking a second passport for visa-free travel.

St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts and Nevis offers three investment routes:

• Make a non-refundable donation to the country's Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), with a minimum investment of $250,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four.
• Invest in pre-approved real estate developments, with a minimum investment of $400,000. This includes the option to purchase a condominium unit for at least $400,000 or invest at least $800,000 in a single-family private dwelling.
• Contribute at least $250,000 to one of the Public Benefit Projects approved by the government.

Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda offers four investment options:

• Donation of at least $230,000 to the Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund.
• Purchase of pre-approved real estate or shares of real estate worth a minimum of $325,000, to be held for five years.
• Business investment of $400,000 in an enterprise worth $5 million in total, or $1.5 million as a single investor.
• Donation of $260,000 or more to the University of the West Indies Fund – this option is available for families of six members or more and entitles one person to a one-year scholarship.

Comparison

Both St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda have similar investment options, with a focus on real estate and contributions to government funds. However, there are some key differences to note:

• The minimum investment amount for St Kitts and Nevis is higher, starting at $250,000, while Antigua and Barbuda's program starts at $230,000.
• Antigua and Barbuda offers an additional investment option of contributing to the University of the West Indies Fund, which is not available in St Kitts and Nevis.
• St Kitts and Nevis has a longer-running Citizenship by Investment program, which may be a factor for investors seeking a more established option.
• Antigua and Barbuda has more government-approved real estate projects, with 44 projects compared to St Kitts and Nevis.
• Antigua and Barbuda's program offers the option to include siblings and grandparents in the citizenship program, while St Kitts and Nevis does not.

Tax systems

Both Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis have tax systems that can be beneficial for investors and high-net-worth individuals. There are no local or foreign income taxes, and no taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties.

Antigua and Barbuda abolished personal income tax in 2016. Individuals are exempt from income tax on worldwide income or assets by holding Antiguan citizenship—without needing to register their tax residency in the country. Only income derived from inside the country is subject to taxation.

St Kitts and Nevis also does not levy personal income tax on individuals.

In terms of corporate tax, both countries offer exemptions on certain types of income, such as income from dividends received from another resident company. There are also deductions available for expenses related to income generation, including business expenses.

When it comes to Value-Added Tax (VAT), St Kitts and Nevis has the highest standard rate of 17%, while St Kitts has the lowest rate of 12.5%.

Excise taxes are levied on specific goods and services, such as tobacco, alcohol, and fossil fuels. In Antigua and Barbuda, excise taxes are charged on alcoholic beverages, tobacco products, petroleum products, and motor vehicles, with rates depending on the product type and quantity. St Kitts and Nevis also imposes excise taxes on these products, as well as on sugar-sweetened beverages.

Property tax rates and rules vary between the two countries. In St Kitts and Nevis, the property tax base is based on the rental value of the property, while in Antigua and Barbuda, it is based on the market value. There are various property tax exemptions and exclusions available in both countries, including for government-owned properties, religious properties, and educational properties.

Neither country imposes a capital gains tax on the sale of immovable property. However, other taxes or fees may be applicable, such as stamp duty or land transfer tax.

Withholding tax on dividends from shares or securities also differs between the two countries. Antigua and Barbuda imposes a 10% withholding tax on dividends paid by resident companies to resident shareholders, while St Kitts and Nevis has a rate of 15%. For dividends paid to non-resident shareholders, Antigua and Barbuda applies a higher rate of 25%, while St Kitts and Nevis has a rate of 15%.

In terms of social security contributions, Antigua and Barbuda has a rate of 14% (5.5% for employees and 8.5% for employers), while St Kitts and Nevis has no social security contribution.

Both Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis offer favourable tax systems for investors and individuals seeking to reduce their tax obligations. While there are some differences in specific tax rates and exemptions, both countries provide opportunities for tax savings, particularly in terms of personal income tax and taxes on dividends, interest, and royalties.

Citizenship requirements

Both St. Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda offer citizenship-by-investment programs, which allow individuals to gain citizenship by investing a certain amount of money in the country. These programs are ideal for entrepreneurs, students, travellers, diplomats, and retired professionals.

St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship Requirements

The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program is the oldest of its kind in the world, having been established in 1984. The program offers four ways to apply for citizenship:

• Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC): A minimum contribution of US$250,000 for a single applicant, payable to the Federal Consolidated Fund.
• Real Estate Investment: A minimum investment of US$325,000 in an Approved Development, which must be held for seven years.
• Private Real Estate Sale: A minimum investment of US$325,000 in a condominium unit or a share in a real estate development, or US$600,000 in a single-family private dwelling home.
• Public Benefit Option: Applicants can propose a project that will bring substantial benefits to the people of St. Kitts and Nevis, with a minimum contribution of US$250,000.

The application process involves selecting an Authorised Agent from the official government list, completing all forms and supplying documents, and waiting for the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) to process the application and conduct due diligence checks. Once the application is vetted and approved, the applicant will receive an approval-in-principle letter and can make their investment. All main applicants are required to attend a mandatory interview. The processing time is typically around 3-6 months.

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Requirements

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program also offers several routes to acquiring citizenship:

• Citizenship by Donation: Applicants can make a financial contribution to the National Transformation Fund (NTF) or the University of the West Indies (UWI) Development Fund. For the NTF, the minimum contribution is US$230,000 for a family of up to four, and US$245,000 for a family of five. For the UWI fund, the minimum contribution is US$260,000 for a family of six.
• Real Estate Investment: Applicants can invest in government-approved real estate projects, with a minimum investment of US$300,000. The property must be held for at least five years. Approved projects include the Moon Gate Resort, Nonsuch Bay Resort, The Gardens, and Verandah Estates.
• Business Investment: Applicants can invest directly into an eligible business as a sole investor or joint venture. The minimum investment is US$1,500,000 for a sole investor, or a total sum of US$5,000,000 for a joint venture with each investor contributing a minimum of US$400,000.

The citizenship application process involves due diligence and eligibility checks, completing application forms and paying legal and due diligence fees, approval and investment, and obtaining the Certificate of Citizenship and passports. Applicants and their dependents must visit Antigua and Barbuda for at least five days within the first five years after obtaining citizenship and swear an oath. The processing time is typically around 3-6 months, although backlogs may affect this timeline.

Frequently asked questions