Antigua and Barbuda tax guide for digital nomads and remote workers
Mar 27
7 minHow to set up your taxes in Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda are highly sought-after destinations for digital nomads and remote workers, thanks to their new Nomad Digital Residence Visa and 0% tax rate. With this visa, you can become a resident of the islands and enjoy exemption from capital gains, estate, and personal income taxes.
You will be considered a (temporary) resident, which means you’ll be able to take advantage of paying 0% on tax as long as you meet the following criteria:
You’re 18 years or older.
You’re employed outside of Antigua and Barbuda and can work remotely.
You are a minimum annual income of $50,000 USD.
You have a clean criminal record.
You can pay the associated fees (starting at $1,500 USD for a single applicant).
No other country is claiming taxes from you.
As a holder of the Antigua and Barbuda digital nomad visa, you don’t need to worry about staying on the island for a minimum amount of time to maintain your residence status. However, due to tax regulations, you have to be careful not to spend more than 183 days residing in any other country.
Remote workers are allowed to work in Antigua and Barbuda for up to 2 years, but there is currently no possibility of renewing this visa. If you wish to stay longer, there’s a possibility of obtaining a Permanent Residence visa (more info on this later in the article).
Although the Nomad Digital Residence Visa allows you to be registered as a resident of Antigua and Barbuda, it’s important to note that it is not a path to tax residency because once you’re based there, you will not be paying any taxes on your income.
How to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda digital nomad visa?
Antigua and Barbuda recently launched a new government website where applicants can submit their documents. During the application process, you’ll be expected to provide:
Evidence that your application fee has been paid.
Passport-sized photos of each applicant measuring 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm). The rules regarding these photographs are pretty strict, with the distance having to be between 1 -1 3/8 inches (25 – 35 mm) from the bottom of the chin to the top of the head.
Copy of the biographical data from your passport.
A certificate that shows you have health insurance coverage for the period of your intended stay on the islands.
A police check proving a clean criminal record for each applicant over the age of 16.
If you’re applying on behalf of a partner or your family, you’ll need to add proof of relationship to dependents, such as birth certificates or marriage certificates.
Evidence of employment, including self-employment.
A declaration certifying that you have an expected annual income of no less than $50,000 USD for each of the 2 years in Antigua and Barbuda and that you have the means to support yourself and any accompanying dependents during your stay.
Pros & Cons
🟢 The application process can be completed online. 🟢 0% taxation. 🟢 Access to stunning Caribbean islands like Barbados, which was another destination that gained popularity amongst remote workers during the pandemic. 🟢 You can travel to amazing nearby destinations like the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Anguilla, and more. 🟢 You can benefit from 0% taxation laws and earn money back on any initial investment or yearly costs through tax efficiency.
🔴 The Nomad Digital Residence Visa currently only allows for a two-year stay with no extensions. 🔴 Minimum income thresholds for applicants are high. 🔴 Visa application fees are expensive. 🔴 Nomadic families will have to pay significantly more in application fees. 🔴 The path to tax residency is only available to high-income earners.
Fees
The application fee you will be expected to pay increases per applicant.
Main applicant: US$1,500.00
Couples US$2,000.00
Family of 3 and over: US$3,000.00
A family of more than 3 dependents will incur an additional fee of $650 per additional dependent.
All application fees are non-refundable. The Antigua and Barbuda digital nomad visa is valid from the day of approval and for 2 years thereafter.
Interested in the Permanent Residence program too?
This visa program is a great option for high-income remote workers that would like to stay longer than 2 years in Antigua and Barbuda. This residence permit gives you permanent residency and tax residency with no investment requirements.
You can apply for the permanent tax resident program if you follow these steps:
Pay the government a fixed fee of $20,000 USD a year in tax.
Maintain a permanent residence in Antigua and Barbuda (this would require proof of a yearly rental contract).
Spend at least 30 days of the year on the islands.
Have an annual income that exceeds $100,000 USD.
Additionally, for those thinking about investing their time long-term in Antigua & Barbuda, there is the Golden Visa option. By making a $100,00 USD charity investment and a $400,000 USD investment on a property that you need to keep for 5 years, you’re able to acquire a Golden Visa. This visa gives you citizenship rights, along with a secondary passport and allows for indefinite stay within the country without the need to pay taxes. This option could work out better for those thinking of staying over 5 years as they would be paying less in fixed taxes and could likely sell their investment property for a significant profit after that period of time, whilst still maintaining all the benefits the Golden Visa brings.
If you're looking for other favorable countries to set up your taxes from, check out our guides for how to setup your taxes in Estonia, Portugal or Barbados.
Disclaimer: SafetyWing and its affiliates do not provide tax, legal or accounting advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for, tax, legal or accounting advice. You should consult your own independent tax, legal and accounting advisors before making any decisions or engaging in any transaction.
