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About Antigua & Barbuda

The islands of Antigua and Barbuda are heaven on earth with an amazingly beautiful coastline. The coastline is clean and attractive because the Caribbean Sea keeps washing it, adding more peace to the place. A vast coastline of 95 meters can accompany hundreds of people at a time, especially during the travelling seasons. The most preferred thing about the islands is the friendly and welcoming people who help the visitors with everything they have. The crystal clear water and the pinky sand beaches are the specialities that attract many tourists towards it. Anyone who is fed up with all the stress of the cities can come and visit the island. You can use the Citizenship by Investment Program to relocate to these islands.

About Antigua & Barbuda

Key Facts

POPULATION
POPULATION

99000 (2022 estimate)

CAPITAL CITY
CAPITAL CITY

St. John's

MAIN LANGUAGE
MAIN LANGUAGE

English

TIME ZONE
TIME ZONE

UTC-4 (AST)

CURRENCY
CURRENCY

Eastern Caribbean Dollar

INTERNATIONAL DIALING CODE
INTERNATIONAL DIALING CODE

+1-268

DRIVING SIDE
DRIVING SIDE

Left

MAJOR RELIGIONS
MAJOR RELIGIONS

Anglican 17.6%, Seventh-day Adventists 12.4%, Pentecostal 12.2%, Christians 11.8%, Moravian 8.3%, Atheist 5.9%, Methodist 5.6%, Other Religions 26.2%

Geographical Location

Geographical Location

The dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda covers an area of 440 sq. km. It is located in the Caribbeans Lesser Antilles. This dual-Island is the separation point between the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. These islands are low-lying limestone formations with reefs, beaches, small lagoons, and harbours. The highest point here is Mount Obama, in the hilly region of Antigua. This mountain is a volcanic crater with a height of 402m.

The lakes don't have rivers, but a few streams add to the area's water. Barbuda is almost 63km from Antigua. This coral island is covered with trees. There is a highland plateau at the Eastern edge of the island. Codrington is the most considered place in Barbuda.

Top Cities

Saint John

This small part of the West Indies is the largest city of Antigua and Barbuda and is the nation's capital. It's a commercial centre with a population of 22,219. Saint John's is also a chief port of the country. It is one of the cosmopolitan and developed cities famous for its marvellous shopping malls. The tourists who visit the city every year consider the expensive and lavish designer jewellery and clothing. The natural beauty, islands, and cruise ships at the harbour of Heritage Quay are another attraction for travellers and tourists.

Many major financial institutions of the world have their offices in this city. A market in the southwestern area of the city produces fresh meat and fish that are sold and purchased regularly. The most popular areas in the city include:

  • Greenbay
  • Gray's Farm
  • Radio Range
  • Villa
  • GPrincess Margaretreenbay
  • Upper Gamble's
  • Nut Groove
  • Upper Fort Road

Piggotts

It\'s a small but beautiful township also named Saint Mark\'s village. It has a population of only 1,478(estimated 2001). It is located at the east of Saint John\'s. It\'s a landlocked area with no sea or border access. Closest airport to Piggotts is V. C. Bird International Airport (ANU). Distance from V. C. Bird International Airport to Piggotts is 1.5 miles / 2.4 kilometres. Some of the most common places include:

  • Antigua and Barbuda International Islamic Masjid
  • Praise Tabernacle United Pentecostal Church
  • New Life Assembly of God
  • Church of God 7th Day
  • Clare Hall Christian Union Church

Liberta

The city is in Saint Paul Parish, with a total population of 2,560 in 2001. It is considered the third largest town of Antigua in the southern Island area connected with the Falmouth harbour. It is followed by people who love boat rides, nature reserves, volcanoes, religious sites, Islands, nature, historic sites, climbing, and art galleries.

The city\'s altitude is above the mean sea level making it a good destination for your summer trip with your family and friends. Liberta is a small part of a colonial plantation owner\'s property, the first to sell a part of his property. It was then purchased by the ex-slaves giving them a new meaning of liberty; that\'s why the city is named Liberta.

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Transportation

The transportation system in the country has both public and private services. The country has paved roads with minor sloping connecting villages and communities. Traffic signs are available throughout the main roads that help the drivers for easy driving. The GPS works in the country for a healthy process of navigation.

Transportation
Getting an Antigua and Barbuda Driving License

When travelling internationally, it is essential to have an International Driving Permit(IDP). It certifies the eligibility of a driver. A single IDP is applicable in more than 150 countries, so having it with you is best while travelling to Antigua and Barbuda.

Things you need for an IDP:

  • Name
  • Photo
  • Driving information in almost 12 languages

Basic Antigua and Barbuda Driving Rules
AGE OF DRIVING
AGE OF DRIVING

18 years

DRIVING SIDE
DRIVING SIDE

Left

SPEED LIMIT
SPEED LIMIT

10-15 mph in Urban Areas

30 mph in Rural Areas

40 mph on major highways

Public Transport
Public Transport

If you are visiting Antigua, the most common way of travelling across the country will be taxis. However, you will have to pay high charges that the government fixes. Another reason for high charges is that vehicles are metres less so you cannot even argue about the rates. If you find another person who wants to get to the same place, you can split the bill.

Renting a car is a better and more convenient way to travel, especially if you are a visitor staying in the country for a long time. You can rent a car from the local companies that are even cheaper or else some international firms like Avis and Hertz are also available at the airport. International firms are considered more reliable in terms of services.

Water taxi means cruise ships that travel across the Caribbean Sea, the US, South America and other countries that regularly sell to St John\'s. If you stay in Antigua for a long time, you can enjoy the cruise ship ride across the Islands, or else you can also enjoy a luxury charter yacht, depending on your budget. Antigua Ferries operate weekly for 3-hour voyages for the riders.

The city has a bus network with two main stations, Market Street and Independence Avenue in St. John\'s. However, you may not find a particular schedule for the buses.

Personal Finances In Antigua and Barbuda

Opening a Bank Account

The currency of Antigua and Barbuda is Eastern Caribbean Dollar. Almost 2.72 Eastern Caribbean dollars equals 1 USD. Many banks are working in the country; however, not all of them are a good choice for foreigners or tourists. Many banks do not provide their services to outsiders and are only available to the locals. Some of the reliable banks in Antigua include:

Antigua and Barbuda Investment Bank Ltd
Antigua Commercial Bank Ltd
Antigua Overseas Bank Ltd
Barrington Bank
Opening a Bank Account

Depending on the bank you choose, the list of documents may change while opening a bank account. Also, some banks will require additional documents from foreigners to have complete information about the person opening an account. It is crucial because the person who wants to open a bank in Antigua must prove his identity and clear record of no criminal acts in the past.

If you want to invest in some business after you arrive in Antigua, you will surely have to open a bank account. Most institutions in the country are comfortable to corporate with foreign clients, but you need to take the extra mile to open a current account in the country. You need to submit some things to open your bank account in Antigua.

  • A passport is suitable for international travel to prove your identity and nationality.
  • Your driver's licence for any second identity like an ID card of the European Union country resident or a civil passport.
  • All the visa documents for getting a visa in Antigua from your country.
  • Your permanent residence proof with your lease agreement or utility bills with your name. It is not compulsory to have the address on the utility bills of Antigua because it is obvious that you are a non-resident.
  • You may submit a recommendation from your private banker to some banks. Having recommendations from European Union countries' banks is more appropriate.
  • Lastly, you must have a personally signed application form for the bank account.

Setting Up Accommodation

Whether you are visiting Antigua for a few days or planning to stay in the country, in any condition permanently, it is essential to feel at home so that you can stay peacefully. Setting up accommodation while travelling to any country is challenging for any traveller because of a new place. But knowing what accommodations you can have after landing in Antigua will be helpful for you to get rid of this problem.

Temporary Residence

You can book a hotel, a home or some unique places to stay temporarily in Antigua. You can get many affordable accommodations with a lot of benefits. If you book a hotel room, you can have free Wi-Fi, a swimming pool, free parking, air conditioning, and a kitchen if you want to cook on your own. However, suppose you do not want to be confined to a single room. In that case, you can book a complete home for a few days with affordable rent and multiple benefits usually unavailable in hotels.

Permanent Residence / Citizenship by Investment

This program was introduced in 1995 to encourage and motivate individuals to establish permanent residency in a country that will benefit from improving the economy. Getting a permanent residency in Antigua by investing in some kind of business or property is the best and simplest way to have residency in the country. It will not require you to follow many rules and submit multiple papers; you need only a few things for a residency certificate in Antigua.

You must fulfil the following requirements for a permanent residency certificate using Citizenship by Investment.

  • Have a permanent place of Adobe in Antigua and Barbuda, whether you purchased or leased it.
  • Spend a total of 30 days in one year in Antigua.
  • Your annual income must be more than 100,000 US dollars.
  • You will have to pay 20000 US dollars tax every year.
  • While purchasing or leasing a property, you will have to pay a purchaser to stamp duty of 2.5%.

Health Service

Antigua and Barbuda are one of the advanced medical service providers in the Caribbean region. St. John's, the country's capital, provides modern hospitals in the Caribbean islands.

There are a total of six medical districts in Antigua and Barbuda. Each medical district has a separate medical officer responsible for the medical services. All the health centres in the country deliver primary health care. There is a healthcare Centre at almost every 3 km. The national drug formulary is a part of the health care system providing 380 different types of drugs.

  • The government funds almost 3% of the total GDP to the health sector each year. This percentage includes the following important factors that are looked at by the government.
  • To improve the access of each individual to a high-quality health service.
  • Enhancing financial equity for the health centre.
  • Improving each individual's health across the country by maximizing the availability of drugs.

Education

Education is considered compulsory, and those with permanent residency have free education for children between the ages of 5 and 16. There is an education levy on basic wages to ensure that the government covers the schooling cost. It also includes all the expenditure on transportation, maintenance of schools, books and other important things related to schooling.

Antigua also provides vocational training to secondary school students to help them learn skills other than the education of books. The government administers the majority of schools in the country as it provides free education

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Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, you can include qualified members of your family in the application or add them after you have obtained your citizenship for an additional fee. A qualified family member can be a child not older than 18 years, a child up to 28 years old that is currently enrolled in an educational institution, a spouse, and parents above the age of 58.

You are not required to visit Antigua & Barbuda before obtaining your citizenship, you are, however, required to visit for five days within the first five years after obtaining your citizenship. You can complete the Oath of Allegiance ceremony with all adult members of your family within this five-day period.

Yes, the passport of Antigua & Barbuda is now a biometric passport, also known as an ePassport.

The new biometric passport of Antigua & Barbuda has 48 pages with each page containing watermarks depicting national images.

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