This article on How To Move To Antigua and Barbuda is taken from a summary of a conversation during the instagram Live 2021 Global Relocation Conference with Jovanna December of Relocate Antigua, a relocation company founded in 2017 with the vision to assist clients looking to invest in, visit or relocate to the beautiful island of Antigua and Barbuda. The company handles the full relocation process from visa and immigration to real estate search, job search, and settling in services.
Does moving to a Caribbean island sound like a good solution to all of your problems right now? Then read on for more about the beautiful island nation of Antigua and Barbuda, and how to move there in 2022.
About Antigua and Barbuda
Just under 100,000 people live on Antigua + Barbuda, two islands that make up this Caribbean nation. Antigua is larger, more populated and home to the capital city of St Johns.
Why do people relocate to Antigua + Barbuda?
Of course every move is a personal decision, but there are a few major reasons why people from around the world relocate here. Not only are there 365 beaches - one for every day of the year - but it is a beautiful, welcoming island that is relatively safe.
Antigua + Barbuda has 365 beaches, one for every day of the year.
The cost of living is about 20% lower than in the United States, which is actually high compared to other countries in the Caribbean. There is a strong mix of history, natural beauty and the ability to live an adventurous lifestyle.
Who relocates to Antigua + Barbuda?
Expats settling from the US, Canada and Europe (mostly Spain), as well as Nigeria and other Caribbean countries all come to Antigua + Barbuda. The motivations of moving here, like the beaches and laidback lifestyle, mean that you tend to see families, influencers, honeymooners, digital nomads, retirees and also property investors and startup founders.
What are the most popular visa types?
In addition to the Tourist Visa on Arrival which gives US citizens up to 180 days in the country to visit as tourists, there are two main types of visas that people use to relocate to Antigua + Barbuda: the NDR Visa and the Citizenship by Investment Visa.
The Antigua Nomad Digital Residence Visa
For those who would like to stay on a more permanent basis, the Antigua Nomad Digital Residence Visa, or the NDR Visa. This visa encourages digital nomads and work-from-anywhere folks to relocate to Antigua for one year, up to two years, as long as they are employed in their home country and can work remotely. Programs like this have sprouted up around the Caribbean since the pandemic hit, to encourage North Americans and Europeans to work from the beach for a year. This isn’t as much a residency visa as an extended tourist visa that allows you to work (from a different beach every day of the year!).
The NDR visa is only good for two years, and then you have to travel back home, and if interested, come back again for two years. You can bring your spouse and your children can go to the public schools as well as private schools on the island.
See more about the Antigua Nomad Digital Residence Visa and reach out to Relocate Antigua for any questions.
The Antigua Citizenship by Investment Visa Program
The second visa type, which has been around since the mid-1990s, is the Citizenship by Investment Program visa. This allows foreigners to qualify for citizenship by investing a certain amount of money into the country of Antigua. There are several programs within this option, but the most common is the real estate investment option, known widely as a ‘Golden Visa’ option.
Foreigners must invest at least $400,000 into a real estate property, plus be able to pay the processing fees (starting at $30,000) and due diligence fees (this varies per property). Two parties can invest $200,000 minimum each on a jointly owned property and be awarded citizenship as well.
Read more about the Citizenship by Investment Program and reach out to Relocate Antigua with any questions.
What are the pros and cons of moving to Antigua + Barbuda?
Pro: An active lifestyle
With so many beaches and adventure activities like hiking, swimming, snorkeling, and others, life is lived outside. This lifestyle feels healthier, both mentally and physically.
Pro: Safety
Crime is relatively low here, and foreigners tend to feel very relaxed and safe while living on the island.
Con: A government-sanctioned anti-gay stance
Antigua might not feel so safe for queer expats. This isn’t to say that everyone on Antigua + Barbuda is anti-gay, but it isn’t a queer-friendly country, either. With anti-lgbt laws in place, such as 15 years in jail for ‘buggery’ or same-sex intercourse, plus zero rights or recognition for queer marriages, Antigua joins its Caribbean colleagues in the rankings as some of the least friendly LGBTQ countries to relocate to in the world (Jamaica was ranked the least friendly country for LGBTQ travelers in the world in various years). More information about LGBTQ Antigua + Barbuda can be found in this study here and the Wikipedia entry here.
Pro and Con: The pace of life
One of the most notable differences to life in North America or Europe is the pace of life on the islands. At first, the slower lifestyle is welcome and allows visitors and new residents to decompress. However, when something really ‘needs’ to get done, or is expected to be completed in what would be considered a timely manner, the slow pace can feel really frustrating. It is important to remember that as the expat, you are the one who has to adjust your cultural clock to the local ‘time’.
Pro: Cost of living
While Antigua + Barbuda is not one of the cheaper island nations in the Caribbean, it is still about 20% less expensive to the United States. On average, one-bedroom city center apartments average $1,000 / monthly, while outside the city is $700. Utilities and other bills are relatively similar.
Food can either be a part of a low budget, or can start to run up your budget if you rely on international cuisine. Antigua is fairly international, and you can get comfort foods from home (like pizza and pasta), but a local diet of rice, veggies, fruits and local meats will be much more budget-friendly.
Use a website like Numbeo.com to compare the cost of living between Antigua and the United States.
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A note on health insurance
Taking a risk with your health is never advised, even for the most daring adventurer. If you are a digital nomad (like with Antigua’s NDR Visa), you will need digital nomad-friendly travel insurance. If you plan on more permanent relocation, travel insurance with medical coverage is vital for up to a year while you settle in abroad.
SafetyWing and World Nomads both have created an insurance hybrid.
Top Travel Insurance Recommendation: SafetyWing.
I’d recommend SafetyWing for its flexible cancellation policies and direct communication with hospital billing departments rather than dealing with out-of-pocket payments and reimbursements while abroad. Meant for true nomads, an official home address is also not required.
For more information on SafetyWing insurance, visit SafetyWing.com.
Runner Up Insurance Recommendation:
World Nomads was one of the first insurance options on the scene for nomads and is still an excellent option, especially if you’re more adventurous or a nomad with a lot of electronics and gear.
For more information, visit WorldNomads.com.
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