Antigua Citizenship by Investment Through Tamarind Hills Resort & Villas: Questions & Answers

Tamarind Hills Resort & Villas Antigua can bring together two separate objectives:

• Investing in a Caribbean real estate or business opportunity connected with an established oceanfront Resort; and
• Applying for Citizenship through the country's Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP).

The Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda (CIU) has listed Tamarind Hills Resort and Villas Antigua as an Approved Development Project, and is also as an Approved Investment in Business Project.

What is the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme?

• A Government programme for eligible applicants seeking Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
• Applicants must make a qualifying contribution.
• Applicants and dependants must complete the required application and due-diligence process.
• Only the Government of Antigua and Barbuda can approve and grant citizenship.

Is Tamarind Hills approved for Antigua Citizenship by Investment?

Yes. Island Heights Limited, the owner of the Tamarind Hills Resort and Villas Antigua development, appears on the CIU’s list of Approved Development Projects, and on the CIU’s list of Approved Investment in Business Projects.

Approval of the development or business does not mean an individual application is automatically approved. The applicant must satisfy the programme rules in force when the application is made.

What Tamarind Hills routes may be relevant to a CIP applicant?

Prospective applicants for CIP have several investment options to choose from at Tamarind Hills:

• Outright Freehold Real Estate Ownership – from US$680,000 up to US$5.3 million.
• Fractional Real Estate Ownership - from US$300,000.
• Tamarind Hills CIP Investment in Business - A  US$300,000 Tamarind Hills CIP approved business-investment opportunity. This is a structured direct investment in the Resort and is not ownership or fractional ownership of a particular property.

What is the minimum Antigua CIP real estate investment?

The CIU currently states:

• Minimum qualifying investment in an approved real estate project: US$300,000.
• Government processing, due-diligence, passport, agent, legal, registration and other transaction costs are additional.

How long must Antigua CIP real estate be held?

• Approved real estate used for the application generally cannot be resold until five years after purchase.
• An exception may apply where an alternate officially approved Antigua and Barbuda real-estate property is being purchased.
• The transaction must also comply with the current ownership documents and law.

What is the US$300,000 Tamarind Hills CIP Investment in Business?

Tamarind Hills CIP Investment in Business – A US$300,000 CIP approved business-investment opportunity. This is a structured direct investment in the Resort and is not ownership or fractional ownership of a particular property.

Does a Tamarind Hills investment guarantee Antigua citizenship?

No. An investment in Tamarind Hills does not guarantee Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.

• Citizenship is granted solely by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, following approval of the applicant by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).
• Every applicant must satisfy the CIU’s requirements, including due diligence, background checks, source-of-funds verification and the other eligibility requirements of the programme. Citizenship by Investment Programme.
• The investment and the citizenship application are therefore two separate elements: the Tamarind Hills investment provides an approved investment route, while the individual applicant must independently qualify for citizenship.
• In summary: Tamarind Hills provides an approved pathway to apply for citizenship, but the final decision to grant citizenship rests entirely with the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

Who can be included as a dependant in an Antigua CIP family application?

The CIU currently allows eligible family members including:

• Spouse of the main applicant.
• Financially dependent child aged 0–30.
• A child aged 18 or older who is physically or mentally challenged and fully supported by the main applicant.
• Financially dependent parent or grandparent aged 55 or over.
• An unmarried sibling of the main applicant or spouse.
• Certain future spouses and future children, subject to the applicable rules and fees.

Dependency and age rules should be checked for each family before submission.

What would Antigua CIP cost for a family of four using the US$300,000 real-estate route?

Example only - assume 2 adults and 2 dependent children, one aged 10 and one aged 15. Current CIU fees produce the following illustration:

This US$336,700 example does not include authorised-agent fees, legal fees, property registration/closing costs, taxes, bank/transfer charges or other transaction costs. If the children are different ages, the due-diligence total changes. For example, each dependant aged 18-30 currently attracts a US$4,000 due-diligence fee.

When are the Antigua CIP fees and investment paid?

• At application: full due-diligence fees plus 10% of the Government processing fee are generally payable.
• After approval in principle: the balance of Government processing fees is payable.
• The qualifying investment is then completed in accordance with the property or investment documents and current CIU procedure.
• Passport fees and other applicable costs are also payable.

Must I use a licensed Antigua CIP agent or authorised representative?

• Yes. Applications for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship under the Citizenship by Investment Programme must be submitted through a licensed Antigua and Barbuda CIP agent or authorised representative.
• Applicants cannot submit a CIP application directly to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).
• The licensed agent will help prepare the application, ensure the required documents are completed correctly, coordinate the necessary due diligence and source-of-funds information, and submit the application to the CIU.
• The agent will also act as the main point of contact with the CIU throughout the application and approval process.
• Tamarind Hills can explain the available qualifying investment options and assist with the investment process, but the citizenship application itself must be handled through an appropriately licensed CIP agent.
• If required, Tamarind Hills can introduce prospective investors to experienced licensed Antigua and Barbuda CIP agents.
• In summary: your Tamarind Hills investment and your citizenship application are closely connected, but the formal CIP application must be submitted through a licensed agent and remains subject to approval by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.

What does Antigua CIP due diligence involve?

• Identity and civil-status documents.
• Residence information.
• Financial and source-of-funds evidence.
• Police and background documentation.
• Government-appointed due-diligence checks.
• Additional documents depending on nationality, family structure and circumstances.

Due-diligence fees are non-refundable.

How long does Antigua Citizenship by Investment take?

There is no single guaranteed timeframe.

• Timing depends on application completeness.
• Nationality and family composition can affect checks.
• Due-diligence complexity and Government workload can vary.
• The selected property or investment transaction can also affect completion timing.

The authorised representative should provide the best current estimate after reviewing the applicant's circumstances.

Is there a residence requirement after obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?

The CIU currently requires:

• At least five days physically present in Antigua and Barbuda during the first five calendar years after registration through the programme.
• Changes to residence requirements are being contemplated and applications should checked prior to making an application.
  .

Is an oath or affirmation of allegiance required?

Yes.

• The programme includes an oath or affirmation of allegiance.
• The authorised representative will explain the current options for completing it.

Can Antigua CIP rules or fees change?

Yes. Investment thresholds, Government and due-diligence fees, dependant definitions, holding periods and application procedures can change.

Applicants should rely on current CIU rules, the final transaction documents and advice from their authorised representative and independent legal advisers. This is particularly important where a Tamarind Hills fractional or business-investment structure is being considered.

What should I do next if I am considering Tamarind Hills and CIP?

Contact Tamarind Hills Resort and Villas Antigua to discuss in more detail the investment options currently available under the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme:

• Review the different Tamarind Hills ownership and investment structures to determine which option best suits your objectives, budget and preferred level of ownership.
• Speak with a licensed Antigua and Barbuda CIP agent, who can explain the citizenship requirements, eligibility criteria, Government fees, documentation and application process.
• Ask the CIP agent to carry out an initial assessment of your circumstances before you commit to an investment.
• Once you have selected your preferred Tamarind Hills investment, the Tamarind Hills team and your CIP agent can coordinate the investment documentation and citizenship application process.
• Make sure you fully understand the purchase price, Government and professional fees, payment timetable, holding requirements and any conditions applying to the investment before proceeding.
• Your CIP agent will then prepare and submit your citizenship application to the Citizenship by Investment Unit and guide you through the due diligence and approval process.
• In summary: the best first step is to speak with Tamarind Hills about the available investment opportunities and, at the same time, obtain advice from a licensed CIP agent so that the investment and citizenship processes can proceed together.