In a continually evolving world, the idea of citizenship has evolved beyond mere geographic boundaries. For those seeking new opportunities, increased mobility, and enhanced financial prospects, five Caribbean nations have emerged as attractive destinations through their Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs.
Two Caribbean countries offering citizenship through investment are Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada. In this article, we embark on a comprehensive exploration of Antigua vs Grenada citizenship by investment programs, delving into their requirements, benefits, and critical differences, to help you decide which Caribbean passport aligns best with your personal and financial goals.
Whether you’re an investor eyeing the Caribbean for its economic potential or a global citizen in pursuit of a second passport, this comparative analysis will serve as your compass through the intricacies of these two attractive CBI options. So, let’s dive in!
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program Benefits
Fast application process
Minimum investment starts from $100,000
Multiple investment options
Family eligibility
No residency requirements
Favorable tax environment
Visa free travel to over 140 countries
Dual citizenship
Antigua vs Grenada: The Main Points
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment | Grenada Citizenship by Investment | |
Application Time | Three to four months | Three to four months |
Passport Global Ranking | 59th. Visa-free access to Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, the UK, the Schengen Zone, and more. | 74th. Visa-free access to China, Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, the UK, the Schengen Zone, and more. |
Qualifying Investment | NDF: Minimum donation of $100,000 (single applicant or family of four) Real estate: $200,000 minimum investment Business investment: $400,000 minimum UWI Fund: Minimum donation of $150,000 | NTF: Minimum donation of $150,000 (single applicant) / $200,000 (family of four) Real estate: $220,000 minimum investment |
Taxes | No income tax on foreign income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax | No income tax on foreign income, wealth tax, gift tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax |
Residency Requirements | Minimal stay requirements | No stay requirements |
Family Eligibility | Inclusion of spouse or future spouse, dependent children under 30, unmarried siblings, parents and grandparents aged 55 and over | Inclusion of spouse, dependent children under 30, unmarried siblings with no children, parents and grandparents |
Application Requirements | No language requirements | No language or residency requirements |
Who can apply for citizenship?
To make an application for citizenship through either of these programs, the main applicant must fulfill the following requirements:
- Be over 18 years old
- Be able to demonstrate an outstanding character
- Be in excellent health
- Have a clean criminal record
- Pass a detailed background check
Calculate the cost of citizenship for you and your family, including all associated fees.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
Antigua and Barbuda is known for its pleasant weather all year long, warm waters, and white sand beaches. Launched in 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program is one of the newest among Caribbean islands, providing an excellent way for investors and their families to obtain Caribbean citizenship.
Investment options
The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program offers four investment routes by which applicants can obtain citizenship on the island:
- Non-refundable donation of at least $100,000 to the Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund (NDF)
- Non-refundable donation of at least $150,000 to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund. This option is geared towards families of at least six members and entitles one of the applicants to a one-year scholarship to the university.
- Minimum investment of $200,000 in government-approved real estate or shares of real estate projects. The investment must be held for five years.
- Minimum investment of $400,000 in an enterprise worth $5,000,000, or a $1,500,000 investment as a solo investor
In addition to the minimum contribution amount, applicants will be required to pay additional fees such as due diligence fees, processing fees, and passport fees.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship benefits
Obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment is an attractive option for many reasons. You can benefit from multiple investment options that are relatively affordable for individuals and bigger families, while also enjoying the option to receive a return on your investment when choosing the real estate or enterprise investment routes.
The obtainment period is fast, you can benefit from the nation’s tax benefits, including no local or worldwide income taxes. You have the option to open a European bank account, the privilege of visa free travel to European countries, and the opportunity to obtain a ten-year visa to the US that allows you to travel, hold business meetings, and get treatment at clinics.
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Grenada is an island in the Caribbean that offers a stable political environment, a tropical and sunny climate, a friendly and welcoming local population, and an unspoiled natural environment full of wonderful things to do and see. With about 18 waterfalls and 45 beaches, visitors can hike, swim, jet ski, surf, and more.
Established in 2013, the Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program offers foreign investors and their families a quick and straightforward way to obtain second citizenship in the Caribbean.
Investment options
Grenada’s CBI program offers two investment routes to Caribbean citizenship:
- Non-refundable donation of at least $150,000 to the National Transformation Fund (NTF). For a family of up to four, the non-refundable contribution is $200,000.
- Minimum investment of $220,000 in real estate shares or $350,000 as a sole owner
In addition to the qualifying investment, you will also encounter due diligence fees, application fees, processing fees, interview fees, and government fees.
Grenada citizenship benefits
The benefits of obtaining citizenship by investment in Grenada are many, including a fast obtainment period, relatively low investment costs with the ability to recover your initial investment, second passport for your family members, ease of banking on the island compared to non-citizens, and the option to educate your children abroad thanks to the nation’s close historical and economic ties with the UK and US.
Are you interested in applying for Antigua or Grenada citizenship by investment?
Contact us today to get the ball rolling. We will provide you with all the up-to-date information you need to complete your application and obtain second citizenship in this beautiful Caribbean nation.
Which program is right for you?
The right Caribbean citizenship by investment program for you will depend on your individual circumstances and expectations. The pros and cons of Antigua and Grenada citizenship come down to a few key factors, which we discuss below.
Taxes
The tax advantages of Antigua vs Grenada citizenship attract investors from across the globe, thanks to their favorable policies for both individuals and legal entities. In each Caribbean country, you’ll benefit from no income tax on worldwide income, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, and more.
Enhanced global mobility
So, what are the differences between the Antigua and Grenada passports? On our Global Passport Index, which assesses enhanced mobility, quality of life, and economic investment, the Antigua and Barbuda passport ranks higher in the 59th position, while the Grenada passport ranks 74th.
Antigua and Barbuda’s passport provides citizens access to 150 destinations without needing a visa, or with an electronic visa, visa on arrival, or an eTA. In contrast, Grenada’s passport allows citizens to visit 147 countries visa free, with an electronic visa or visa on arrival, or with an eTA. Both passports allow visa free access to China.
Investment options
In terms of the cost of citizenship in Antigua vs Grenada for investors, Antigua and Barbuda’s program offers global investors more affordable and diverse investment options. To outline a cost comparison between citizenship in Antigua versus Grenada, Antigua’s Caribbean citizenship program is suitable for investors seeking affordable investments as the Antigua and Barbuda program is cheaper overall and offers more investment options; however, Grenada grants visa free travel to numerous countries.
The minimum direct investment amount for Antigua is $100,000 for a single applicant or family of up to four, while the minimum investment amount for Grenada is $150,000 for a single applicant and $200,000 for a family of four. Furthermore, Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program offers two fund donation options to the country’s national economic fund, a real estate investment, and a business investment. Grenada’s CBI program only offers two routes: A fund donation and a real estate investment in government-approved property.
Dual citizenship
Both countries recognize dual citizenship.
Processing times
The timeline for obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment vs Grenada citizenship varies, with little variation in citizenship processing times between the two programs. Antigua’s citizenship program takes three to six months to process, and Grenada’s citizenship program has a similar processing time.
Flexible requirements
The application process for both citizenship by investment programs can be completed remotely. Grenada requires applicants aged 17 and older to partake in a mandatory online interview, and the Oath of Allegiance can be sworn in the jurisdiction where the applicant is physically located or remotely. Antigua and Barbuda requires successful applicants to spend at least five days in the country during the first five years of citizenship. Additionally, applications submitted on or after 15 December 2023 will undergo a virtual interview, as will family members aged 16 and above. The average processing time for Antigua and Grenada citizenship applications is three months.
Family inclusion
You may wonder which is better for families: Antigua or Grenada citizenship? Both Caribbean programs allow for the inclusion of spouses, unmarried siblings, children under 30, parents, and grandparents. A benefit of Antigua and Barbuda’s program is that it allows you to include a spouse at a later date, following the conclusion of your citizenship application. Each program also has its own restrictions. For example, Antigua requires parents and grandparents to be 55 or older, while Grenada requires the unmarried siblings to be without children.
Strong points of the Grenada program
- No stay requirements
- Visa-free access to China
- Flexible family eligibility requirements
- Opportunity to obtain a US E-2 Visa to settle in the US
Strong points of the Antigua and Barbuda program
- Most affordable route for larger families thanks to the NDF ($100,000 donation) and the UWI Fund ($150,000 donation)
- Multiple investment routes
- No interview requirements for applications submitted before 15 December 2023
Keep reading
You may be interested in our other Caribbean citizenship comparison articles:
- Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison
- St Kitts vs Dominica Citizenship
- St Lucia vs Dominica Citizenship
- Grenada vs Dominica Citizenship
- Grenada vs St Kitts Citizenship
- Grenada vs St Lucia Citizenship
- St Kitts vs St Lucia Citizenship
- Antigua vs St Kitts Citizenship
- Antigua vs St Lucia Citizenship
- Antigua vs Dominica Citizenship
Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?
When working with Global Citizen Solutions, you will benefit from the following:
- Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean citizenship programs.
- 100 percent approval rate. We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial free-of-charge due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
- Independent service and full transparency. We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
- An all-encompassing solution. A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family’s mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
- Confidential service and secure data management. All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
Get in touch with a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment specialist
Frequently Asked Questions about Antigua vs Grenada
Both Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda are fantastic Caribbean countries that have plenty to offer. The better country for you will depend on your individual needs and expectations. For example, Grenada is less prone to hurricanes than islands further north, meaning real estate investors do not have to worry as much about a high risk of property damage. Both countries offer a good standard of living, quality healthcare and education systems, and a lower cost of living compared to places like the UK and the US.
The main differences between these Caribbean citizenship by investment programs to obtain lifetime citizenship are their investment routes and costs, their requirements, and their family eligibility criteria. Antigua and Barbuda offers four investment routes – two fund donations, real estate, and a business investment – while Grenada offers two options – a fund donation and real estate. Antigua’s minimum contribution starts at $100,000, while Grenada’s starts at $150,000.
Grenada has a mandatory interview requirement for applicants aged 17 and older, while Antigua requires successful applicants to spend five days in the country during the first five years of citizenship. Finally, Grenada requires included siblings to have no children, while Antigua requires included parents and grandparents to be 55 or older. Additionally, Antigua allows for the later inclusion of a spouse, while Grenada does not.
The cost of obtaining citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda or Grenada will vary depending on the investment route you choose and the number of family members you include in your application. For Antigua and Barbuda, the minimum investment amount is $100,000, while the minimum government fund contribution for Grenada is $150,000. In addition to this, you will need to pay fees such as due diligence fees, processing fees, and application fees.
Yes, both Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada recognize dual nationality.
Both CBI programs have an average processing time of three to four months.
The application process for both the Antigua and Grenada CBI programs can be completed remotely. Once you have been granted citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, you must spend at least five days in the country during the first five years of citizenship.
The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program offers four investment routes to acquire Caribbean citizenship: A donation to the National Development Fund, a contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund, a real estate investment, and a business investment. The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program offers two investment routes: A donation to the National Transformation Fund and a Caribbean real estate investment.
When comparing Antigua vs Grenada citizenship for digital nomads and remote workers, visa-free travel is essential. Both the Caribbean passports provide passport holders improved visa free and visa on arrival access. The Antigua and Barbuda passport ranks slightly higher on the Global Passport Index Enhanced Mobility Index at 65th place, providing visa free travel to 151. The Grenada passport grants visa free travel and visa on arrival access to 148 countries. St Kitts offers the highest-ranking Caribbean passport among Caribbean citizenship programs, providing visa free entry to 154 countries worldwide.
The best citizenship by investment program will depend on your individual circumstances and requirements, whether you want to make a Caribbean real estate purchase, obtain a Caribbean passport for enhanced visa free access, or integrate into the Caribbean community. To help you decide, we have created a collection of comparison articles:
