Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-island state located between the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It consists of two major inhabited islands, Antigua and Barbuda, and a number of smaller islands.

Government: Federal monarchy, Parliamentary system
Capital: St. John’s
Dialing code: 268
Area: 443 km²
Currency: East Caribbean dollar
Official language: English

Antigua and Barbuda is a constitutional monarchy with a British style parliamentary system of government. The Queen has her representative, an appointed Governor General, representing the Queen as the Head of State. The Government is composed of two chambers: the elected 17 member House of Representatives, led by the Prime Minister; and the 17 member Senate. 11 of the Senate members are appointed by the Governor General under the guidance of the Prime Minister, four members are appointed under the direction of the Leader of the Opposition and two by the Governor General. General elections are mandated every five years and can be called earlier. The High Court and Court of Appeal are the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and the Privy Council in London.

With some 365 beaches of clean clear turquoise waters, the lush tropical island of Antigua is an inviting paradise and considered to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. As a result, tourism is the key driver of GDP and generates around 60% of the island’s income, with key target markets being the US, Canada and Europe.

Antigua has experienced a challenging economic environment in recent years. However, the Government has been credited with its implementation of the National Economic and Social Transformation Plan and a debt restructuring effort. One of the initiatives to support the island nation’s economy is the introduction of a Citizenship by Investment Program.

Antigua’s commitment to serving its tourism industry and increasing its GDP is demonstrated with the airport expansion project set to be completed in 2013. It is worth US$45 million and includes three passenger jet bridges and more than two dozen check-in counters, creating an overall higher efficiency for passenger arrival. It will also allow an increase in scheduled, charter and inter-island flights. There are already direct flights to Antigua from London, New York, Miami and Toronto in place.

Residents of Antigua and Barbuda benefit from no capital gains tax or estate taxes. Income taxes are progressive to 25% and for non-residents, they are at a flat rate of 25%. Proposed amendments to Part 111 Section 5 of the Income Tax Act will change taxation on worldwide income to taxation on income sourced within Antigua and Barbuda.

The currency is the Eastern Caribbean dollar (EC$), which is pegged to the US$ at 2.70 EC$/US$. Antigua is a member of the United Nations (UN), the British Commonwealth, Caricom and the Organisation of American States (OAS), among many other international organizations. Holders of the Antiguan passport enjoy visa free travel to approximately 126 countries, including the United Kingdom, Canada and the countries of the Schengen area. Holders of this passport, like all Caribbean countries, do require a visa to enter the US as they are not a member of the Visa Waiver Program.

Antigua & Barbuda passport will afford the holder visa free travel to 131 countries