The decision to acquire a second citizenship is significant, often driven by many factors such as enhanced global mobility, economic diversification, and the pursuit of a better quality of life.
However, choosing the right program that aligns with your specific goals and needs is crucial. In this article, we will delve into the details of the Antigua vs St Lucia citizenship by investment programs, comparing their respective benefits, requirements, and potential advantages to help you make an informed decision on your path to securing Caribbean citizenship.
Whether you’re looking for a tropical escape, a foothold in the global marketplace, or a combination of both, this comparative analysis will help you navigate the world of Caribbean citizenship.
Antigua vs St Lucia Citizenship: The Main Points
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment | St Lucia Citizenship by Investment | |
Application Time | 4 to 5 months | 10 to 12 months |
Global Passport Ranking | 59th. Visa-free travel to Hong Kong, Russia, Singapore, the UK, the Schengen Zone, and more. | 75th. Visa-free travel to Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, the Schengen Zone, and more. |
Qualifying Investment | NDF: Minimum donation of $230,000 (single applicant or family of four) Real estate: $325,000 minimum investment Business investment: $400,000 minimum investment UWI Fund: $260,000 minimum donation | NEF: Minimum donation of $240,000 (single applicant) / $240,000 (family of four) Real estate: $300,000 minimum investment Enterprise investment: $250,000 minimum Government bonds: $300,000 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 | Five days during the first five years of citizenship. | No stay requirements. |
Family Eligibility | Inclusion of spouse or future spouse, dependent children under 30, dependent siblings, parents and grandparents aged 55 and over. | Inclusion of spouse, children under 30, siblings under 18 (unmarried with no children), parents and grandparents aged 55 and over. |
Application Requirements | No language requirements. | No language or residency requirements. |
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program Benefits
Fast application process
Minimum investment starts from $230,000
Multiple investment options
Family eligibility
No residency requirements
Favorable tax environment
Visa free travel to over 140 countries
Dual citizenship
Calculate your cost of citizenship, including all associated fees.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Program
Antigua and Barbuda is a stunning nation in the Caribbean famous for its 365 beaches, sparkling waters, popular carnival celebrations, and historical sites. With everything from delicious local dishes, tourist attractions, and outdoor activities to great weather and a straightforward path to citizenship, there’s not much that Antigua and Barbuda does not offer.
Established in 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program is a quick and relatively affordable way for investors and their families to obtain Caribbean citizenship by making a qualifying investment in the country.
Investment options
The program offers four investment routes by which applicants can obtain citizenship on the island:
- Non-refundable donation of at least $230,000 to the Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund (NDF)
- Non-refundable donation of at least $260,000 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 $325,000 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 million, or a $1.5 million 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.
Family eligibility
- Spouse or future spouse
- Children under 18
- Children aged 18 to 30, if supported by the principal applicant or spouse (as well as their spouse and dependent children)
- Dependent children aged 18 or older who are physically/mentally challenged
- Parents or grandparents of the principal applicant or spouse if aged 55 or over and financially dependent on the principal applicant or spouse
- Unmarried siblings of the principal applicant or spouse
Citizenship benefits
Antigua and Barbuda citizens benefit from the island’s relaxed tax environment, which includes no income tax on foreign income, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax. You will also find quality healthcare and education systems on the island. In fact, Mount St John’s Medical Center is the most modern hospital on the Caribbean islands. The country’s economy depends primarily on the agricultural, banking, and tourism sectors and provides plenty of investment opportunities. Furthermore, the cost of living on this Caribbean island is around 20 percent lower than in most countries in Northern America and Europe.
Antigua and Barbuda passport
The Antigua and Barbuda passport ranks 59th on our Global Passport Index, based on factors such as enhanced mobility, quality of life, and economic investment, and is valid for five years. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders enjoy visa-free access to over 140 destinations, such as the Schengen Zone, Hong Kong, Russia, and Singapore.
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St Lucia Citizenship Program
Famous for its lush vegetation, iconic sites, and popularity among honeymooners, St Lucia is an excellent choice if you are looking to start a more laidback life in a slice of Caribbean paradise. The island is also an excellent location for business, with a variety of investment opportunities available thanks to the country’s agriculture, fishing, and tourism industries – and of course, its citizenship by investment program.
Investment options
Established in 2015, St Lucia’s CBI program offers four investment routes to obtain citizenship:
- A minimum contribution to the National Economic Fund (NEF) of $240,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four
- Investment of at least $300,000 in pre-approved real estate projects
- Investment of at least $300,000 in non-interest-bearing Government Bonds
- An enterprise investment of at least $3.5 million as a solo investor or $250,000 as part of a joint $6 million venture
Additional fees include processing fees, due diligence fees, passport fees, and government fees.
Family eligibility
- Spouse or future spouse
Children under 21 - Children aged 21 to 30, if supported by the principal applicant or spouse
- Dependent children aged 21 or older who are physically/mentally challenged
- Parents or grandparents of the principal applicant or spouse if aged 55 or over and financially dependent on the principal applicant or spouse
- Unmarried siblings of the principal applicant or spouse aged 18 or younger
Citizenship benefits
St Lucia citizens benefit from a favorable tax environment where you do not pay income tax on foreign income, wealth, or inheritance tax. The nation is continuing to develop its infrastructure and improve its airports, hospitals, accommodations, and marinas. This development has further attracted tourists and investors interested in visiting and investing in the island. In addition to this, the cost of living is relatively low compared to places like the UK and the US.
St Lucia passport
Ranked 75th on our Global Passport Index, St Lucia passport holders benefit from visa-free access to over 140 countries across the globe. The passport is valid for five years following the granting of citizenship. Once it has been renewed it will be valid for ten years.
Which program is right for you?
In this section, we’ll compare the pros and cons of citizenship in Antigua vs St Lucia under a few key points.
Tax benefits
Both countries offer advantageous tax environments and policies from which citizens can benefit, with no capital gains, inheritance, or wealth tax. Antigua citizens do not ay income taxes, where as St Lucia citizens are required to pay tax on worldwide income.
Visa free countries
Visa free travel with Antigua and St Lucia citizenship is similar, with both passports providing visa free access to over 140 countries. The Antigua passport is stronger overall, with 151 visa free countries compared to St Lucia’s 148 visa free countries.
Investment options
Regarding the Antigua vis St Lucia citizenship investment options, both CBI programs offer multiple investment options, including a fund donation, real estate investment, and business investment. St Lucia also offers the option of investing in government bonds, while Antigua offers a donation option to the University of the West Indies Fund, with the added benefit of a year’s free tuition for one family member.
Dual citizenship
Both countries recognize dual citizenship.
Citizenship cost
For an Antigua vs St Lucia citizenship cost comparison, acquiring citizenship in Antigua is cheaper, with an investment threshold of $230,000 vs $240,000 in St Lucia. It’s the same case for families of four to obtain a Caribbean passport, costing $230,000 in Antigua and Barbuda vs at least $240,000 in St Lucia. For Caribbean real estate investments, foreign investors must invest at least $325,000 in approved real estate projects in Antigua and at least $300,000 in St Lucia.
When looking further into the Antigua citizenship cost vs St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda’s program has a lower due diligence fee of $7,500 for the main applicant compared to $8,000 in St Lucia. A due diligence fee of $7,500 is also required for the spouse in Antigua compared to $5,000 in St Lucia.
Flexible requirements
A key difference in the Antigua vs St Lucia citizenship benefits is a much shorter application process of 4 to 5 months in Antigua vs 10 to 12 months in St Lucia; however, both programs allow it to be completed remotely. Neither program has an education or language requirement. Applicants of both St Lucia and Antigua’s programs must partake in a mandatory virtual interview. Another Antigua and St Lucia citizenship comparison highlights no residency requirements in St Lucia during the application process or after obtaining citizenship, whereas successful applicants in Antigua must spend five days in the country during the first five years of obtaining citizenship.
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 Grenada Citizenship
- Antigua vs St Kitts Citizenship
- Antigua vs Dominica Citizenship
St Lucia vs Antigua Citizenship by Investment Pros and Cons
Antigua
Strong points
- Most affordable route for larger families thanks to the NDF ($230,000 donation) and the UWI Fund ($260,000 donation)
- More affordable business investment option, starting from $400,000
- Higher rank of 59th on the Global Passport Index
Weak points
- Minimum stay requirement
St Lucia
Strong points
- More diverse investment options (fund donation, enterprise investment, real estate, and government bonds)
- Older age threshold when including dependent children
- No residency or visitation requirements to maintain citizenship
Weak points
- Program has more than doubled in price for a single applicant
- Fewer visa free countries
- worldwide income tax
Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?
- 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 St Lucia Citizenship
The primary difference between the Antigua and St Lucia citizenship programs comes down to their investment options, stay requirements, and processing time. St Lucia offers more diverse investment options, while Antigua and Barbuda’s business investment route is more affordable. Antigua requires successful applicants to spend five days in the country during the first five years of citizenship while St Lucia has no residency requirement. It takes 10 to 12 months for a citizenship application to be processed in St Lucia, whereas Antigua’s process is much faster at 4 to 5 months on average.
The best Caribbean citizenship program will depend on your individual situation and requirements. St Kitts and Nevis offers the longest-running CBI program, while Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St Lucia offer the most affordable investment options for individual applicants. For families of six or more, Antigua’s University of the West Indies Fund offers the most affordable route to citizenship. In terms of benefits, all of the programs offer visa-free travel to over 140 countries, favorable tax environments, and fast application processes.
Returns on real estate investment in Antigua and Barbuda vs St Lucia can vary significantly. Antigua’s citizenship program is more popular, leading to more real estate investments and higher prices. This could mean an opportunity for a greater return on investment in St Lucia due to lower initial property prices and the potential for market growth. However, Antigua’s established demand and infrastructure might provide more immediate and stable returns. In contrast, St Lucia’s developing market could offer higher appreciation over time as it becomes more established.
Antigua boasts a range of reputable institutions, including the University of the West Indies’ Five Islands Campus, which offers diverse undergraduate and graduate programs. St Lucia has fewer educational institutions but is home to the notable Sir Arthur Lewis Community College. Antigua’s educational opportunities are enhanced by the University of the West Indies Fund option, offering one year of free education to a family member of the main applicant.
