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Caribbean, News feed Date: 31 January, 2025

Antigua & Barbuda’s 2025 CBI: Key Insights from the CIU

Antigua & Barbuda’s 2025 CBI: Key Insights from the CIU

In a recent webinar hosted by Christopher Willis, Managing Partner at the Latitude Group, two of Antigua & Barbuda’s top Citizenship by Investment (CBI) officials—CEO Charmaine Quinland-Donovan and Ambassador Jeffrey Hadeed—shared timely updates on the country’s Citizenship by Investment program. Donovan and Hadeed highlighted the program’s evolving landscape, the importance of due diligence, and new operational enhancements in the pipeline. Here’s a closer look at the biggest takeaways from their discussion.

A Stable and Transparent Program

Ambassador Hadeed opened by stressing the consistent integrity that has underpinned Antigua & Barbuda’s CBI program since its inception.

“Basically, I think the starting point for us is the stability and integrity of our program. We have been a very stable program, our policies… have remained fairly stable.”

Stability, he explained, goes beyond policy: it includes the country’s strong connectivity to the U.S. (with daily flights from Miami, New York, and more), its robust infrastructure (reliable internet, modern roads, healthcare), and a pro-business environment that attracts foreign investors.

Christopher Willis echoed this sentiment, noting that Antigua & Barbuda’s consistent approach “instills confidence in the mind of anyone investing in the program,” a particularly crucial factor in a post-pandemic world.

The Price Change: “Still Early Days”

One of the more significant developments in the past year has been the region-wide increase in the minimum investment threshold, resulting from a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) signed by all Eastern Caribbean CBI jurisdictions. Ambassador Hadeed acknowledged an initial slowdown, yet he remains optimistic:

“We obviously recently had the price change… it’s still early days, so we had to see about a six-month adoption period.”

Meanwhile, Charmaine Quinland-Donovan confirmed the program saw an influx of last-minute applications before the new threshold took effect, but she stressed that recent numbers have been encouraging:

“When we look at our numbers for January, it is more akin to what we have been expecting… so this quarter will be very telling.”

Due Diligence: “Boots on the Ground”

Throughout the webinar, Donovan made it clear that rigorous due diligence continues to be the backbone of Antigua & Barbuda’s CBI program. She underscored the multi-layered approach, which includes:

  1. In-house Expertise:
    “Our team members are all ACAMS-certified … ensuring we do our jobs well.”
  2. Global Third-Party Contractors:
    “We engage third-party contractors… who usually have boots on the ground wherever the applicant is affiliated.”
  3. Government Intelligence Networks:
    This includes checks against global law enforcement networks and other watchlists—an added layer to verify each applicant’s background.

Donovan also highlighted the mandatory interview as a “recent addition” that has helped clarify applicant details early:

“One of the most recent additions… is interviews. We’ve found it has somewhat simplified what we do internally.”

These interviews, she explained, allow applicants to address any discrepancies before they become drawn-out issues, which in turn supports the six-to-nine-month average processing timeline.

Welcoming Crypto-Source Wealth, But Still in Fiat

Quinland-Donovan noted that although Antigua & Barbuda’s legislation has demonstrated a willingness to accept applicants deriving wealth from cryptocurrency, there is not yet a framework to receive direct crypto payments:

“At this time… we do not have the framework to actually receive cryptocurrency, but we have been consistently processing applications where persons’ source of wealth are from the crypto environment.”

Applicants with digital assets, she said, still need to convert those assets to fiat currency when it comes time to make the qualifying investment. The CIU then evaluates detailed documentation to confirm the legitimacy of the funds and to uphold its banking relationships.

Real Estate and Individual Villas

Real estate remains a popular route for many applicants, offering the potential for a holiday home and rental income. Ambassador Hadeed described Antigua & Barbuda’s “vibrant” property market, with well-known brands like Sotheby’s and Savills now active on the island—indicators, he said, that “something exciting is happening” in the local real estate scene.

Beyond approved hotel and resort developments, standalone villas can also qualify in specific circumstances:

“Sometimes… an application can be submitted for approval on its own merits,”

Hadeed explained, though he emphasized the government carefully assesses each property to ensure it contributes meaningfully to local economic development.

Family Inclusion: Up to Five Generations

One defining feature of Antigua & Barbuda’s CBI is its expansive definition of “dependents,” which can include children up to age 30, spouses, parents, grandparents, and unmarried siblings. Quinland-Donovan elaborated on the program’s inclusivity:

“Whereas you’re not able to pass [citizenship] on by descent, you’re able to add your parents, your spouse, your children, the spouses of your children, and your siblings… so five generations.”

She clarified that for children beyond a certain age, applicants must demonstrate financial dependence. Also, the constitution does not allow “registration” citizenship to be automatically passed down by descent, but families can keep adding eligible relatives—even newly born children—after the principal applicant secures approval.

Restricted Nationalities

The CIU’s approach toward restricted nationalities is nuanced.  While there is a 10-year rule for countries such as Afghanistan or Somalia requiring individuals to have left these countries and severed all economic ties, Quinland-Donovan pointed out that for countries like Russia and Belarus, “there is no exception” at present.

Reinforcing the principle which applies to the Unit’s long-standing restricted countries list, the CEO noted that “If the person was born in that territory, they would have to demonstrate they’ve lived outside… for at least 10 years,”  she said, noting that the unit carefully reviews each case on its individual merits. This however does not apply to the current restrictions against citizens of Russia and Belarus.

Looking Ahead: A New Digital Platform

As for what’s next in 2025, Ambassador Hadeed announced a significant upgrade in how applications will be managed and processed:

“We will probably be going live within the next six weeks to eight weeks or so with our digital platform, which I think will really provide an enhanced experience… and communication.”

This shift to digital submissions and online tracking will streamline the entire application process. QuinlandDonovan emphasized that agents, in particular, will benefit from real-time status updates, leading to better transparency and smoother communication:

“Agents will be better able to follow the application… and be better able to manage the expectation of the applicants.”

Conclusion: Strong Foundations, Evolving Efficiency

From increased due diligence measures—like the mandatory interview requirement—to the upcoming digital platform and robust real estate market, Antigua & Barbuda’s 2025 CBI outlook remains extremely positive. Ambassador Hadeed summed it up by reiterating how consistency and predictability in the country’s program will continue drawing serious investors:

“We recognize that we operate in a marketplace… it does not like doubt, fear, or inconsistency. We try to stay as stable as possible.”

Meanwhile, Charmaine Quinland-Donovan underscored her commitment to making the process transparent and efficient without compromising security:

“As gatekeepers of the country, we need to ensure that we’re doing our jobs well.”

For prospective applicants—especially those seeking a tropical sanctuary, global mobility, and trustworthy governance—Antigua & Barbuda remains a standout choice for second citizenship in 2025 and beyond.

Antigua & Barbuda’s 2025 CBI: Key Insights from the CIU

Date: 31 January, 2025

Posted in: Caribbean, News feed