Caribbean countries are known for cricket, tropical beaches, and their citizenship by investment programs. Caribbean nations attract investors by offering dual citizenship and passports that help visa free travel to 145+ destinations out of 227 destinations. As an investor, people are interested in knowing which Caribbean citizenship is more beneficial for them. In general, all of the 5 Caribbean countries offering citizenship programs attract people with visa free travel as a primary attraction. This blog compares Antigua vs St Kitts citizenship programs so that you can find out the best passport for you.
Antigua Vs St Kitts Citizenship – Comparing Visa Free Countries
Visa free countries for Antigua vs St Kitts citizenship involve checking key countries that are accessible on both passports. As per the Henley Passport Index 2024 report, Antigua and Barbuda visa free countries include 153 countries that rank Antigua passport on the 26th index. That means Antigua passport holder need visas for 74 countries before initiating their travel plan. Key Antigua visa free countries include all Schengen states, the UK, China, Russia, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
On the other hand, St Kitts and Nevis passport visa free countries include 157 destinations out of 227. With a St. Kitts passport, you can travel to Schengen states, the UK, Russia, Singapore, and Hong Kong. St Kitts passport requires a visa for China and 69 other countries. A common advantage of a Caribbean passport is easy approval of a USA visa for 10 years.
Antigua and Barbuda Vs St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship – Investment Comparisons
Investment is a major concern when it comes to Antigua vs St Kitts citizenship or at the time of buying a second passport. Caribbean countries updated their citizenship by investment prices from 30th June 2024, which has set the minimum price threshold to a minimum of $200,000 or more.
Antigua citizenship investment requirements start from$230,000 via the National Development Fund that allows Antigua citizenship to the main applicant along with three other family members. Antigua CBI options also include a real estate investment of $325,000, $400,000 for Business Investment or a donation of $300,000 to the University of West Indies.
St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment starts with $250,000 via non-refundable donation to Sustainable Island State Contribution or via government approved Public Benefit Project. St Kitts citizenship by real estate investment starts with a minimum of $400,000. Comparatively, Antigua and Barbuda investment is more affordable option than St. Kitts and Nevis.
Antigua and Barbuda Vs St Kitts and Nevis Passport Validity
In 21st Century, Second citizenship is a powerful Plan B to expand business and for travel freedom to destinations that are impossible with your current passport. For both countries, the passport validity for adults is 10 years and for minors is 5 years. Antigua passport cost is $300 per person while St. Kitts passport cost $350 per person.
Tax Comparison Between Antigua & Barbuda and St Kitts & Nevis
Both countries lure investors by offering exempting from income tax, tax on dividends, interest and royalties. Social fee for Antigua is 5.5% and St Kitts is 5%. You need to pay 2.5% tax on real estate purchase in Antigua and Barbuda, while there is no such tax for property purchase in St Kitts and Nevis. The tax on sale of real estate is 7.5% in Antigua and 6 to 10% in St Kitts.
Antigua and Barbuda Vs St Kitts and Nevis – Stay Requirements
Easy citizenship is one valuable aspect of CBI programs, stay requirements are another part. Becoming a citizen of Caribbean country didn’t mean you have to live there to retain your citizenship status. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship stay requirements include 5 day stay during 5 years after you become a citizen of Antigua. On the other hands, St Kitts and Nevis citizenship program didn’t bound its citizens for any mandatory stay.
Conclusion
The Antigua and St Kitts citizenship programs are both valuable tool for investors to become a dual national and benefit from visa free travel. However, St. Kitts and Nevis CBI program was under radar of EU due to some policy differences especially on giving citizenship to Russians and Belorussian applicants. Though St Kitts took strict compliance action to save itself from penalty from Schengen states, it lose a big chunk of market. As per St Kitts Prime Minister Drew, the country earned EC$620 million from CBI program in 2023 which is reduced by 60% in 2024.
On the other hands, Antigua and Barbuda witnessed a sharp rise towards its citizenship program. There were 739 investors who submitted Antigua citizenship application during first half of 2024. This staggering number of applicants surpassed previous full year applicants, i.e. 685 applicants in 2023, 489 in 2022 and 298 in 2021. As per available statistics, shows Antigua and Barbuda citizenship is leading its way to attract investors.