Antigua and Barbuda offer a relaxed beach lifestyle in one of the Caribbean’s safest and most secure nations, making it a popular destination for expats. Many people are drawn to The Land of 365 Beaches because of its citizenship by investment program and exclusive tax breaks for international investors. There won’t be numerous downsides to your advantages and disadvantages list if you consolidate these benefits. Then again, you could need to work with the goal that you need a dependable wellspring of cash while you’re there. You ought to know about this if you intend to work while visiting Antigua and Barbuda:
Permit to work
Expats seeking employment in Antigua must have their company demonstrate the absence of qualified local candidates. In a country with a small population (90,000), this process may be more demanding than in larger nations. The company not only applies on your behalf but also conducts interviews with community members, justifying why they were not suitable for the position. Consequently, high-level positions like senior managers and accountants are frequently available to foreigners through this procedure. Other career options include teaching, medicine, and tourism. Your employer must submit an application on your behalf via the Ministry of Labour for such a work permit to be accepted. Your company should take care of all papers required for submission, which includes the completed application form and any costs necessary depending on the job. Once issued, the work visa typically lasts for a year. If your company can continue to demonstrate your value in that position, this may be extended each year. You, the applicant, must have at least three months of valid stay stamped in your passport by the Immigration Department for the application to be approved.
Documentation
The necessary paperwork consists mostly of standard requirements plus a few additional details. It also includes copies of:
- your return airline ticket;
- the payment receipt for the work permit application;
- the job ads that were published in the local media;
- proof of a valid passport;
- any degrees or certifications that make you qualified for the position;
- a clean police record; and
- a letter from your prospective employer confirming their responsibility during your stay in the country.
Once you’ve obtained the work visa, Antigua and Barbuda will see you as a temporary resident.
Launching a business
As a second option for generating revenue, you might establish a company in Antigua. For companies wanting to make such an investment, Antigua provides advantages including reductions, technical support, and loan guarantees according to the Small Business Development Act of 2007. These incentives comprise a potential 75% reduction in property taxes for land and/or buildings designated for business use. Additionally, they encompass duty-free access to items and materials like vehicles, furniture, and building materials, among others. A five-year exclusion from personal tax on profit is likewise accessible. To be qualified for monetary advantages under this Act, certain necessities should be met:
- There must be no more than 25 workers;
- Antigua and Barbuda nationals must constitute the majority of the company’s shareholders;
- Yearly sales cannot exceed EC $2 million, and
- capital investments cannot exceed EC $3 million.
The prerequisites are a little different if you’re not a citizen of the nation entering this attempt. A minimum investment of EC $500,000 is required and at least half of the workforce must be Antiguan citizens. Also, at least 40% of the supplies and labor used in production must come from companies based in the islands. These requirements are among them. In any of these scenarios, submit an approved small business application together with a confirmed business name. Also submit a business plan with financial information, proof of citizenship, or a passport, along with the application filled out.
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