How can legally married same-sex couples apply for citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda?

Answers

• 

  Kevin Hosam

  EC Holdings

  July 28, 2023

  Antigua & Barbuda does not recognize same sex marriages. Therefore, you will be required to apply on two separate applications.

• 

  Kal Dobbin

  Citizens International

  July 26, 2023

  Unfortunately, the government citizenship by investment unit does not accept same-sex marriages. That may change in the future but there has been no mention of it to date. Therefore, you and your husband would have to each make an application separately. Since this would mean making two qualifying investments, my best suggestion would be to purchase a property in which you each invest the required minimum i.e. 200,000 USD each. You could purchase a property for a minimum of 400,000 USD and split it 50/50. It’s something you could rent out when not in use and resell after 5 years. Perhaps it would serve as a back-up property for retirement in due course but even if you look at it as a medium-term investment, the market is quite buoyant in Antigua and Barbuda for well-located vacation properties. Alternatively, you could each make a donation of 100,000 USD as the qualifying investment, however, you’d be walking away from a total of 200,000 USD plus the fees, so I would urge you to consider a property investment as it will be much more cost-effective in the medium to long term. Moreover, a home here can offer some wonderful lifestyle benefits if you’re able to spend time on the island once in a while. It is really a paradise here.