Citizenship Investment

Transcription

1 Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship Investment Program 1

2 Janik Partners Janik Partners specializes in services for the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship Investment Program (CIP) helping guide a client through the process including, if desired, the acquisition of real estate with careful and professional planning. Individuals and families can enjoy considerable advantages obtaining Citizenship of Antigua & Barbuda which allows the holding of a second passport via the CIP program. Our firm can assist in qualifying you and your family for citizenship either through an investment of at least US$ 400,000 in one of the approved real-estate developments (plus addition government fees, consultant fees and taxes or alternatively making a contribution to the Government fund or recognized charity, starting from US$ 250,000 for a single applicant (plus addition government fees, consultant fees and taxes). Janik Partners provides both client facing information resources and professional relationships throughout Antigua & Barbuda to ensure the smoothest and most professional service, advice and assistance. Once Janik are engaged in a client application process we can take care of every aspect of the process including all legal and CIP Agent submissions, travel co-ordination and any translation services (Russian, Chinese and Arabic). Janik Partners has offices in St. Johns, the capital of Antigua. Through these offices, the firm assists nonnationals in acquiring citizenship through the official Citizenship-by-Investment Program, provides fiduciary services and advises on all aspects of investing and doing business in Antigua and Barbuda. The specialized services of Janik Partners are a resource that complement the services of other consulting and law firms. We frequently assist other firms and their clients, particularly with the unique and specific details required by the acquisition of citizenship under the citizenship-by-investment program in Antigua & Barbuda. 2

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS p. 4 p. 5 p. 6 p. 8 p. 9 Antigua & Barbuda Overview Requirements of CIP Documents for CIP Process and Timeline of CIP Investment, Taxes and Fee Schedule 3

4 Antigua & Barbuda Overview The Antigua & Barbuda CIP is aimed at encouraging families and Individuals to spend time and build up investments within its beautiful Caribbean Island. Antigua & Barbuda is a top tourist destination that offers a wide range of leisure activities and high quality living possibilities. As an ex-member of the UK commonwealth and now an independent country with representation at the UN, its infrastructure includes top class hospitals and schools along with professional services for all major needs. Its currency is tied to the US dollar and is shared with a number of countries that make up the Eastern Caribbean. The Antigua & Barbuda passport is ranked in 81st place base on countries with visa free travel throughout the world, providing a holder visa free travel to 118 countries including the UK, France, Germany and Canada. This travel advantage combined with UK style legal and financial systems, providing strong protection to Investments, offers family and individuals from Russian (ranked 96), China (110) and UAE (127) significant long term asset and movement-of-travel security. It is now possible to apply for a Antigua & Barbuda citizenship and hold it as a second passport via the Citizenship Investment Program (CIP) that offers a range of Investment options. Antigua & Barbuda is famous for its beaches with one for every day of the year, its sailing with the oldest and most historically significant harbor in the Caribbean and is known for its famous residences such as the fashion designer Giorgio Armani and the rock legend Eric Clapton. Antigua & Barbuda has become a top class, secluded destination for European and US tourists and has a strong rental market. 4

5 Requirements of CIP The Antigua & Barbuda CIP offers four investment options: Real Estate: Applicants for citizenship must acquire property valued at least US$ 400, National Development Fund: Contributions to the National Development Fund (NDF) in the amount of US$ 250,000 for a single applicant. Charitable Fund (CF) Contribution: Contribution to approved non-profit charitable institutions focused on education, health and environment in the amount of US$ 250,000 for a single applicant. Investment in a Business: Business investment starting at US$ 1.5million. Investment in a business can be with multiple Investors who jointly invest at least US$ 4million. The minimum investment to be made by a single investor is US$400, Funds are paid into an escrow account held by a bank or a well recognized accounting firm as escrow agent while citizenship application period takes place. All government fees and Due Diligence fees apply in addition to the investment. See Investment, Schedule and Fee Section. 5

6 Documents for CIP Documents required for Process Investment options to be chosen by Applicant and the Number of Family members identified to be included in Application. It is important to include all applicants at the beginning of the process to ensure no delays or additional costs. The following forms and documents are required from each applicant, including children: Photograph and Signature Certificate. Medical Certificate including original results of an HIV test (an HIV test is required for all persons applying for citizenship, including children). The HIV test results must be not older than 3 months. Certified copy of your current passport(s) showing name, photo, citizenship/nationality, date and place of issue, expiry date, passport number and issuing country. Certified copy of your current national identity card(s). Six original passport-size photos of yourself taken within the past 6 months. Original excerpt of full birth record or certified copy of full birth certificate (i.e. a birth document that also includes your parent s details, or a household register, family book etc.). Original police certificate(s) from country of citizenship (unless you can provide satisfactory evidence that you have never lived there) and from any country where you have lived more than 1 year over the past 10 years. Police certificates must be less than six months old at the time you lodge your application. 6

7 The following forms and documents are required only once from the main applicant: Investment Confirmation / Escrow Agreement and confirmation of funds having been wired to an escrow account. Also a copy of the executed real-estate contract. One original bank reference letter issued by an internationally recognized bank, not older than 6 months. One original professional reference (e.g. from an attorney, notary public, chartered accountant or other professional of similar standing), not older than 6 months. The following documents are required only if applicable, i.e. if married persons apply together: Original excerpt of marriage record or certified copy of marriage certificate(s) (if applicable). Certified copy of divorce document(s) (if applicable). 7

8 Process & Timeline for CIP Documents are then compiled and prepared for the citizenship investment application by Janik Partners, along with international and local counsel. Following the delivery of a complete set of documents to the Antigua & Barbuda Immigration department and a non-refundable fee of $ 20,000 USD (processing fee), a security investigation is done of the applicant by a third party international consultant. Antigua & Barbuda Immigration Department will then screen applicant(s) with background checks on individuals through both Interpol and Homeland Security databases. Applicants will be notified within 6 to 8 weeks in normal circumstances of their acceptance or rejection for citizenship. Upon Acceptance of the Citizenship Investment applicant a visa will be issued to the applicant(s) for travel to Antigua. There is a twelve month grace period from program acceptance to granting of citizenship and passport, and during this time the applicant must make a visit to Antigua and conduct a verification interview with the Department of Immigration. Evidence of Government, Charity donation or evidence of property ownership must be provided and the property ownership must be maintained for a five year period. There is a 35 day total residency requirement for the applicant or members of the applicant s family over a five year period after the granting of citizenship and passport. 8

9 Investment, Taxes and fee schedule 1. Initial process fees and Investment payments Full Investment paid into Escrow account held by Janik Partners Legal Team. Application processing fee of $20,000 - Will be deducted from total fees at end of successful Application. 2. Fees due on successful Application: Government Fees US$ Processing fee - Principal Applicant $50,000 Processing fee - Spouse $50,000 Processing - Dependent child aged 0-11 $25,000 Processing - Dependent child aged $25,000 Processing - Dependent child aged $50,000 Processing- Dependent parent aged over 65 $50,000 Due diligence fee - Principal Applicant $7,500 Due diligence fee - Spouse $7,500 Due diligence fee - Dependent child 0-11 $0 Due diligence fee - Dependent child $2,000 Due diligence fee - Dependent child $4,000 Due diligence fee - Dependent parent aged over 65 $4,000 Biometric Passport ($355 each) $355 (each) Janik Partner Fees Janik Partners takes complete charge of coordination of the entire application process from start to successful completion, including all Antigua based services including legal, accounting and agent fees. Janik fees schedule is equal to 50% of the total Government Process fees (This varies based on number of applicants, see above). Property Tax/Legal Fees 2.5% Government property tax due on completion of any property investment. 1.5% Property registration and additional Legal fees due on completion of any property investment. 9

10 JANIK PARTNERS _ P.O. Box 308 _ St John s _ Antigua _ +1 (268) _ info@janikpartners.com _