Antigua and Barbuda, nestled in the Caribbean and part of the CARICOM community, is known worldwide not just for its captivating natural beauty but also for its attractive international business environment and residency programmes.

Comprising two primary islands and several smaller islets, this Commonwealth Realm under King Charles III offers an ideal blend of leisure, business opportunities, and flexible travel freedoms.

Antigua boasts a beach for every day of the year – 365 pristine shores – and Barbuda features the stunning Princess Diana Beach, renowned for its crystal-clear waters and soft, powdery sands.

Beyond tourism, the islands are gaining significant attention for their robust international business frameworks, corporate licensing opportunities, and highly competitive citizenship and residency programmes.

Antigua’s citizenship-by-investment programme stands out among CARICOM nations, beginning with an investment of just $230,000 for a family of four. It grants visa-free travel to 153 destinations including Canada, China, Russia, the Schengen Zone, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong, placing Antigua’s passport 27th globally in travel freedom rankings. The programme emphasises rigorous due diligence, having effectively avoided scandals that have impacted similar schemes in countries such as Turkey, Nevis, Dominica, and Vanuatu, thus safeguarding Antigua’s reputation and maintaining the integrity of its travel agreements.

Moreover, Antigua uniquely offers qualifying individuals the right to a personal coat-of-arms through the College of Arms in London, and stands as one of only thirteen countries worldwide with no personal income tax.

The nation’s International Business Companies (IBCs) offer a compelling alternative to entities traditionally established in jurisdictions such as BVI or the Caymans. Antiguan IBCs are fully exempt from taxes on income generated outside Antigua and maintain exceptional privacy, with company records kept strictly offline and accessible only by company officials. Recently cleared from both FATF and EU blacklists, Antigua ensures sustainable compliance and long-term stability for international businesses.

Antigua also excels in regulated licensing for businesses with global reach, notably through the innovative Digital Assets Business License. This comprehensive regulatory structure enables various blockchain and cryptocurrency operations, from centralised exchanges and DeFi platforms to stablecoin issuance and crypto-focused incubation hubs. Additionally, Antigua offers tailored banking licenses ranging from private banking solutions to comprehensive retail services, specifically catering to international entrepreneurs seeking strategic financial platforms.

Other notable regulatory options include Money Service Businesses (MSBs), facilitating diverse international payment operations, and International Insurance Licenses, which provide attractive alternatives to insurers facing restrictive conditions in larger jurisdictions. Antigua’s pioneering approach extends to online gambling, having introduced one of the earliest and most respected regulatory frameworks globally – surpassing jurisdictions like Gibraltar, Isle of Man, and Curaçao in agility and attractiveness. These frameworks can even be combined, allowing for innovative business models such as cryptocurrency-friendly banks or fully crypto-integrated online casinos.

Tourism, real estate, and associated services are flourishing, driven by significant infrastructure developments including a new international airport in Barbuda and upscale resorts like the Nobu Hotel. The longstanding Nobu Barbuda restaurant remains a magnet for global celebrities such as Robert De Niro and Jeff Bezos. On Antigua, English Harbour, home to the UNESCO-listed Nelson’s Dockyard, annually hosts the prestigious Antigua Sailing Week. Additionally, Antigua remains the Cricket Capital of the West Indies, regularly attracting international cricket events and enthusiasts from around the Commonwealth.

dMTV as a group plays a pivotal role in promoting Antigua’s business opportunities; across the Southeast Asia/ASEAN region, Dr Giacomo Merello, Lord Leslie (UK) and dMTV Global Pte Ltd (Singapore) Director, serves as the Special Economic Envoy of the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda to Singapore, fostering economic relations; in Malta, dMTV Europe Ltd acts as the essential bridge connecting European and international entrepreneurs to Antigua’s diverse business opportunities, guided by its founder and locally based lawyer Avv. Federico Vasoli.