Andrey R., a young entrepreneur from Moscow, reached out to us in May 2021.
His girlfriend had received a grant to study at the London College of Arts. Not wanting to part with his beloved, Andrey sought a solution similar to a long-term visa to the UK. However, he did not plan to stay there permanently, as his growing business in Russia required his attention.
Andrey emphasized that cost and timing were crucial. He was preparing to open a branch of his company in Saint Petersburg and wanted to minimize other expenses temporarily. His time constraint stemmed from a desire to surprise his girlfriend by visiting London for her birthday in October.
After considering his needs, we proposed that Andrey obtain a passport from Antigua and Barbuda, a Commonwealth nation offering favorable visa-free travel arrangements with the UK, for several reasons:
- The cost of participating in the country’s citizenship program starts from $100,000 for a single applicant.
- The citizenship processing time is estimated at 4 to 6 months.
- Visa-free access to the UK allows stays of up to 180 consecutive days, with the option to leave and re-enter for another six months.
- Visa-free travel to 160 countries, including the entire Schengen Area and the UK.
- The option to pursue UK residency through establishing a business presence.
- As a Commonwealth country, Antigua and Barbuda’s legal system is based on English law.
This was precisely what Andrey had been looking for. After reviewing the program, he gave his consent to proceed.
The Citizenship Process for Antigua and Barbuda
After signing a legal service agreement, we began compiling the necessary documents. At this stage, as well as during subsequent steps, the client’s involvement was minimal—an arrangement that suited Andrey, who was focused on expanding his business and preparing to open his company’s new branch.
We collected all the required documents, including:
- Proof of income sources (bank statements, tax returns, rental agreements, and property ownership certificates),
- A medical certificate confirming good health, including HIV test results,
- A police clearance certificate,
- A completed fingerprint form,
- Scanned copies of Andrey’s passports (domestic and international), diploma, and company incorporation documents.
All documents were translated into English and notarized in Antigua.
At the end of May, Andrey paid the due diligence verification fee. A licensed agent in Antigua submitted his documents for background checks (Due Diligence).
In August, we received a letter confirming that the Government of Antigua and Barbuda had successfully completed the background verification process.
Andrey then transferred funds to cover the required contribution to the Antigua National Development Fund ($100,000) and the passport issuance fee ($300). All payment confirmation documents were included in the primary application package.
The licensed agent submitted the final citizenship application on Andrey’s behalf.
Within four weeks, the naturalization certificate was issued.
Andrey took the oath of allegiance online, and by the end of September, we personally handed him his Antigua and Barbuda passport.
By October 5, Andrey had secured tickets for a Moscow-to-London flight. The surprise for his girlfriend turned out to be a great success.
Results
We helped our client secure the right to long-term stays in the UK with minimal time and financial investment, as he had requested, through the successful acquisition of an Antigua and Barbuda passport.
