Antigua
Dec 31st 2003, 7:44 am
#1
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Antigua
Hi Forum,
Am about to purchase a villa in Antigua (hopfully) but know very little about the island. Travelling next week to view the villa, and if we like what we see, intend to move there in a year or so. Would any expats care to have a beer and give us a few pointers? We will be in the Beach Club (St James) from 10 - 17 Jan. Would appreciate.
Many thanks.
Steve.
Am about to purchase a villa in Antigua (hopfully) but know very little about the island. Travelling next week to view the villa, and if we like what we see, intend to move there in a year or so. Would any expats care to have a beer and give us a few pointers? We will be in the Beach Club (St James) from 10 - 17 Jan. Would appreciate.
Many thanks.
Steve.
Dec 31st 2003, 11:24 am
#2
C.G.D.S
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
Re: Antigua
I'd make sure you match the criteria for living there and buying property before you sign anything...
To buy a property, a solicitor must be retained to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands on your behalf for an Alien Land Holding Licence, which has to be approved by the cabinet. The following conditions must be fulfilled:
a) police clearance from the country where you previously lived
b) evidence of sufficient funds
A 10% duty is imposed on the cost of property purchased by non-nationals
To live there you need the following...
In June 1995, the government introduced a permanent residence scheme to encourage a limited number of high net worth individuals to establish tax residency tax in Antigua and Barbuda. As residents all their income would be free of local tax.
To obtain a permanent residence certificate an applicant must:
maintain a permanent place of abode in Antigua and Barbuda;
obtain an alien landholding licence costing 5% of the property value;
pay a purchaser's stamp duty of 2.50%;
pay an annual levy of US$20,000/annum;
reside in Antigua and Barbuda for not less than 30 days a year.
To buy a property, a solicitor must be retained to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands on your behalf for an Alien Land Holding Licence, which has to be approved by the cabinet. The following conditions must be fulfilled:
a) police clearance from the country where you previously lived
b) evidence of sufficient funds
A 10% duty is imposed on the cost of property purchased by non-nationals
To live there you need the following...
In June 1995, the government introduced a permanent residence scheme to encourage a limited number of high net worth individuals to establish tax residency tax in Antigua and Barbuda. As residents all their income would be free of local tax.
To obtain a permanent residence certificate an applicant must:
maintain a permanent place of abode in Antigua and Barbuda;
obtain an alien landholding licence costing 5% of the property value;
pay a purchaser's stamp duty of 2.50%;
pay an annual levy of US$20,000/annum;
reside in Antigua and Barbuda for not less than 30 days a year.
Dec 31st 2003, 6:04 pm
#3
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Re: Antigua
Originally posted by sibsie
I'd make sure you match the criteria for living there and buying property before you sign anything...
To buy a property, a solicitor must be retained to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands on your behalf for an Alien Land Holding Licence, which has to be approved by the cabinet. The following conditions must be fulfilled:
a) police clearance from the country where you previously lived
b) evidence of sufficient funds
A 10% duty is imposed on the cost of property purchased by non-nationals
To live there you need the following...
In June 1995, the government introduced a permanent residence scheme to encourage a limited number of high net worth individuals to establish tax residency tax in Antigua and Barbuda. As residents all their income would be free of local tax.
To obtain a permanent residence certificate an applicant must:
maintain a permanent place of abode in Antigua and Barbuda;
obtain an alien landholding licence costing 5% of the property value;
pay a purchaser's stamp duty of 2.50%;
pay an annual levy of US$20,000/annum;
reside in Antigua and Barbuda for not less than 30 days a year.
I'd make sure you match the criteria for living there and buying property before you sign anything...
To buy a property, a solicitor must be retained to apply to the Ministry of Agriculture and Lands on your behalf for an Alien Land Holding Licence, which has to be approved by the cabinet. The following conditions must be fulfilled:
a) police clearance from the country where you previously lived
b) evidence of sufficient funds
A 10% duty is imposed on the cost of property purchased by non-nationals
To live there you need the following...
In June 1995, the government introduced a permanent residence scheme to encourage a limited number of high net worth individuals to establish tax residency tax in Antigua and Barbuda. As residents all their income would be free of local tax.
To obtain a permanent residence certificate an applicant must:
maintain a permanent place of abode in Antigua and Barbuda;
obtain an alien landholding licence costing 5% of the property value;
pay a purchaser's stamp duty of 2.50%;
pay an annual levy of US$20,000/annum;
reside in Antigua and Barbuda for not less than 30 days a year.
Dec 31st 2003, 6:13 pm
#4
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Re: Antigua
Originally posted by steveshiraz
Many thanks for your detailed information re Antigua. We are aware of the alien license, stamp duty etc, but still unsure, dispite several enquiries, about the permenant resident license.
Does everyone have to pay this, or is it a tax incentive for the wealthy? We dont intend working, but will be renting one property. Would we not be able to pay local tax on this income? $20,000 p.a. would mean we could not go ahead realistically. Hopefully all will be clear when we talk to a lawyer out there, but any further info from yourself would be really appreciated.
Thanks again,
Steve.
Dec 31st 2003, 7:01 pm
#5
C.G.D.S
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Ireland--->London--->Spain--->Rockport, MA
Posts: 3,353
I looked into the Carib islands when I was thinking of leaving the UK. Most of them had hefty financial entry requirements and a staggeringly high cost of living. I'm not sure about Antigua but the things I looked at did say that the tax is 20k a year. I doubt you can bypass that by paying local taxes.
The goverment website is here...
http://www.antigua-barbuda.com/ and is does seem there is no way being a non citizen of not paying the yearly taxes.
The goverment website is here...
http://www.antigua-barbuda.com/ and is does seem there is no way being a non citizen of not paying the yearly taxes.
Dec 31st 2003, 7:29 pm
#6
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Originally posted by sibsie
I looked into the Carib islands when I was thinking of leaving the UK. Most of them had hefty financial entry requirements and a staggeringly high cost of living. I'm not sure about Antigua but the things I looked at did say that the tax is 20k a year. I doubt you can bypass that by paying local taxes.
The goverment website is here...
http://www.antigua-barbuda.com/ and is does seem there is no way being a non citizen of not paying the yearly taxes.
I looked into the Carib islands when I was thinking of leaving the UK. Most of them had hefty financial entry requirements and a staggeringly high cost of living. I'm not sure about Antigua but the things I looked at did say that the tax is 20k a year. I doubt you can bypass that by paying local taxes.
The goverment website is here...
http://www.antigua-barbuda.com/ and is does seem there is no way being a non citizen of not paying the yearly taxes.
Many thanks again. Will let you know out of interest when we get back.
Steve.
Jan 19th 2004, 8:45 am
#7
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2
Originally posted by steveshiraz
Many thanks again. Will let you know out of interest when we get back.
Steve.
Many thanks again. Will let you know out of interest when we get back.
Steve.
Would love to hear your update re Antigua. We're thinking of moving out to the Caribbean at some point to run self catering / B&B. Most interested in Turks & Caicos and Grenada. Have'nt been to either yet but hope to make a trip out soon to have a look around.
Cheers.
K.
Jan 20th 2004, 12:50 am
#8
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Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 6
Originally posted by kittyn
Hi Steve,
Would love to hear your update re Antigua. We're thinking of moving out to the Caribbean at some point to run self catering / B&B. Most interested in Turks & Caicos and Grenada. Have'nt been to either yet but hope to make a trip out soon to have a look around.
Cheers.
K.
Hi Steve,
Would love to hear your update re Antigua. We're thinking of moving out to the Caribbean at some point to run self catering / B&B. Most interested in Turks & Caicos and Grenada. Have'nt been to either yet but hope to make a trip out soon to have a look around.
Cheers.
K.
Got back from Antigua yesterday having bought some land to build on and rent until we retire there in 2 - 3 yrs. First time to Antigua, although been to Carribean plenty. Very picturesque and clean (unlike some) and the people really friendly. Crime rate one of the lowest in Carib. They do encourage people to buy land, move there and invest, although quite a few formalities involved, but stick with it! You have to be able to offer somthing that will not take a locals job. Also, not the cheapest place to live, but not extorsionate either - quality never is. The island has a nice feel about it, and I think we have done the right thing.
Please get in touch if I can be of any help.
Steve.
Jan 20th 2004, 2:47 pm
#9
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,175
Did you see Dr Amu when you were there?
Jan 20th 2004, 6:53 pm
#10
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Originally posted by Pammy
Did you see Dr Amu when you were there?
Did you see Dr Amu when you were there?
Jan 21st 2004, 7:36 am
#11
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Posts: 2
[QUOTE]Originally posted by steveshiraz
Steve,
Great, so you did it! Congratulations! I'm jealous. We're a long way from that stage as yet. Have'nt even decided which island to concentrate on yet. So many Pro's and cons to weigh up! Mainly residency especially as we need a permit to work. Considered Dominican but have heard poor reports about the crime rates. Shame saw a lovely villa at a great price. www.dominicanvilla.com if anyones interested....
Kerina
PS - Wonder who Dr Uma is?!
Steve,
Great, so you did it! Congratulations! I'm jealous. We're a long way from that stage as yet. Have'nt even decided which island to concentrate on yet. So many Pro's and cons to weigh up! Mainly residency especially as we need a permit to work. Considered Dominican but have heard poor reports about the crime rates. Shame saw a lovely villa at a great price. www.dominicanvilla.com if anyones interested....
Kerina
PS - Wonder who Dr Uma is?!
Jan 21st 2004, 5:29 pm
#12
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,175
I am jealous too, I love Antigua, been 6 times although not recently due to immigration to Canada, we are hoping to open a diving school sometime in the future, not sure where, will be researching and visiting islands starting next year.
DR Amu is the local medicine man, I cant believe none of you have met him, he is such a riot, one of the highlights of Antigua, I can only find a crappy pic of him on a holiday website, he gets about on most beaches, used to spend a lot of time at Jolly Harbour.
DR Amu is the local medicine man, I cant believe none of you have met him, he is such a riot, one of the highlights of Antigua, I can only find a crappy pic of him on a holiday website, he gets about on most beaches, used to spend a lot of time at Jolly Harbour.
