Case Study: How a Saudi Family Obtained Antigua Citizenship for Global Education Access

When a senior executive from Riyadh first contacted Mirabello Consultancy in early 2025, his immediate concern was well defined: his eldest daughter had received an offer from a British university, but as a Saudi national, she would be liable for international fees, over £28,000 a year, rather than the domestic rate of £9,250. Over three years of study, the difference amounted to more than £55,000.

His secondary concern was broader. As his career expanded into European markets, with regular meetings in Zurich, Paris, and Frankfurt, the administrative burden of Schengen visa applications had become genuinely disruptive. A trip that required a 14-day application window was incompatible with modern executive scheduling.

"I don't want a second passport because I'm dissatisfied with Saudi Arabia," he told our consultant in Dubai. "I want it because the world has become more complex, and I need to move freely within it."

The Mirabello Consultancy team, with offices in both Zurich and Dubai, is well positioned to understand this perspective. Our IMC membership and 99% approval rate reflect a client base that views investment migration as strategic life planning, not political exile. We recommended Antigua and Barbuda's CBI as the optimal solution, and here is why, and how we delivered it.

Why Did Mirabello Recommend Antigua for This GCC Family?

Mirabello recommended Antigua CBI because it gave all five family members immediate visa-free access to the UK and Schengen through a single application at the $230,000 NDF minimum, the most cost-effective route for a family of five requiring full global mobility. Grenada was also assessed for its US E-2 business treaty, but the family had no immediate US business needs, making Antigua's broader visa-free count (154 versus 140) and faster processing time the deciding factors.

Key factors in the programme selection:

• Family size: The $230,000 NDF route covers a family of up to four. With three children, a small additional dependant fee applied, far less costly than five separate applications or a programme with a higher minimum threshold.
• UK access: The eldest daughter's UK university plans required British entry rights. Antigua passport holders travel to the UK visa-free for up to 6 months, sufficient for university enrolment, accommodation arrangements, and visits during term time.
• Schengen access: The father's European business meetings required ad hoc travel with no visa waiting periods. The Antigua passport removes Schengen visa requirements entirely.
• Processing speed: Grenada's 5-7 month timeline was slightly longer than Antigua's 3-6 months. Given the academic calendar deadline, speed mattered.
• Family inclusion: Antigua includes parents aged 55 and above, an option the family noted for future applications should the grandparents wish to visit UK-based grandchildren more freely.

How Did the Application Process Unfold?

The application was submitted to Mirabello in March 2025. Our team coordinated documentation with the client and with Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Unit through our recognised authorised agent channel (AAC).

Stage 1: Initial Due Diligence (March-April 2025)

Before any formal submission, Mirabello's consultants conducted a full preliminary check on the source of funds and reputation. Even though the client was an internationally listed executive with a transparent commercial history, Antigua's due diligence process remains rigorous. The following were requested:

• Detailed banking checks tracing the source of the $230,000 back to the client's personal bank accounts.
• Net worth certification from independent auditors.
• Background statements for all five applicants (including children).
• Background verification reports.

This process took six weeks. No red flags emerged; the client was cleared to proceed.

Stage 2: Formal Application Submission (May 2025)

On 12 May 2025, Mirabello submitted the complete application to the Citizenship by Investment Unit through the AAC channel. The application package included:

• Completed application forms for the main applicant and dependants.
• Authenticated birth and marriage certificates.
• Valid passport scans.
• Bank statements for the past 6 months.
• Proof of NDF investment (confirmed transfer to a designated account).
• Professional reference letters from the client's employer.
• Personal statements for the main applicant and spouse.

Stage 3: Preliminary Approval and Supplementary Requests (May-June 2025)

Over two weeks, the Citizenship Unit contacted Mirabello with a series of standard supplementary requests. None was cause for concern, clarifying questions about the nature of the client's European work and the composition of his prior investment portfolio. Our team responded within 5 working days, and the application moved to final assessment.

Stage 4: Final Approval and Passports Issued (June-July 2025)

On 19 June 2025, Mirabello received official confirmation of approval from the Citizenship by Investment Unit. The five passports (with serial numbers and security pages) were delivered within two weeks via Antigua's secure courier service.

The documents arrived in Dubai on 4 July 2025, exactly three months from the initial engagement with Mirabello, and well ahead of the eldest daughter's late-August university enrolment deadline.

Looking for expert guidance? Book a free consultation with Mirabello Consultancy to discuss your options with our experienced advisors.

Results Achieved

1. Reduced UK University Fees

Armed with an Antigua passport, the eldest daughter re-enrolled at the British university as a Commonwealth citizen. She is entitled to domestic fees of £9,250 per academic year, not the international fee of £28,000. Over three years:

• With Saudi citizenship: £84,000 in fees
• With Antigua citizenship: £27,750 in fees
• Direct saving: £56,250 (the total NDF cost was almost entirely offset by a single family member)

2. Instant Schengen Travel Freedom

The father can now visit Zurich, Paris, and Frankfurt without applying for visas in advance. Airport transit times dropped from 25 minutes to 5 minutes (passport control only). He reported saving approximately 40 hours of administrative time a year previously spent on visa applications.

3. Overall Family Mobility

The whole family now enjoys visa-free access to 154 countries and territories, including the 27 Schengen states, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Canada. For a family splitting time between Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the UK during their daughter's academic year, this represents significant logistical fluidity and administrative savings.

4. Stability and Wealth Planning

The second citizenship also provided a level of asset diversification that is often underrated but practical. Should geopolitical conditions in the Gulf region change, the family would have a stable legal base in a stable Caribbean jurisdiction. Mirabello's consultants noted this as a by-product of mobility planning, not the primary motivation, but a reassuring element for high-net-worth clients with significant wealth and international business networks.

Total Costs of the Transaction

For a family of five securing a second citizenship in three months with visa-free access to 154 countries, this represents a per-capita cost of approximately $50,000, a figure that pays for itself quickly when weighed against the eldest daughter's three years of international university fees alone (£56,250 in savings), plus the value of administrative time saved over 15-plus years of regular European travel.

Key Lessons and Success Factors

Several factors contributed to the timely approval of this application:

1. Complete Financial Transparency The client proved the origin of his funds without ambiguity. In an era of FATCA and AML compliance, the ability to trace capital back to its source is decisive. Mirabello provided preliminary due diligence so thorough that the formal government assessment encountered no obstacles.

2. Early Strategic Advice on Family Structure Many advisors would have suggested submitting the main applicant and spouse as two independent candidates, with the children as dependants. Mirabello instead recommended a slightly different structure that maximised dependant inclusion benefits while staying within cost parameters. This careful planning saved the client thousands of dollars.

3. Respecting the Regulatory Timeline The team respected processing times without pushing for exceptions or undue pressure. Impulsive applicants who insist on "accelerating" the process often attract closer scrutiny. A well-prepared application, submitted through the correct channel and pursued without anxiety, progressed through the standard stages efficiently.

4. Partnership with Quality Local Advisors Antigua's Citizenship by Investment Unit has an established relationship with Mirabello and our authorised consultants. Decades of correctly executed applications, consistent approval rates, and compliance without exceptions mean our applications receive thorough professional review, not excessive scrutiny.

Considerations for Similar Clients

If you are a high-earning professional from a Gulf country with European education needs for your children, and business responsibilities requiring Schengen mobility, the Antigua and Barbuda profile is worth considering:

• If Antigua is right for you: You have a clearly articulated need for UK access, Schengen access, or both. You are not motivated by tax considerations (Antigua offers no significant tax advantages for non-residents). You can clearly demonstrate the origin of your funds. Your national and professional profile is stable and verifiable.
• If Antigua is not right for you: You are seeking a US E-2 visa (in which case Grenada is superior). You are seeking substantial tax advantages or stable residence (in which case, consider Portugal, Malta, or Greece via real estate investment routes). You have a complex financial history or business background that may not withstand rigorous due diligence.

Mirabello Consultancy remains one of the most selective authorised agents for Caribbean CBI programmes. We do not pursue high-volume applications; we pursue high-quality applications. The case study above exemplifies our approach: a family with a clearly articulated need, a tailored strategy, and meticulous execution from the initial consultation to passport delivery.

If you are interested in exploring whether citizenship by investment is appropriate for your situation, our team in Zurich and Dubai is available for a confidential preliminary consultation. We do not charge for this initial conversation.

Related Reading

• Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme
• Best Citizenship by Investment Programmes 2026
• Antigua CBI for Large Families