More people than ever will set up their pandemic «Plan B» to have options for when the next lockdown may pose them and their families at risk, Arton Capital's Head of Asia, Philippe May, says.

The current pandemic crisis also has its effect on the residence and citizenship by the investment industry. While no new programs have gone operational this year, countries with existing programs are making amendments to become even more attractive for investor migrants.

During a recent webinar of Arton Capital, the Prime Minister of St. Lucia announced that it will offer citizenship applicants the option to invest in an interest-free government bond of a five-year term.

St. Lucia's COVID Relief Bond

Magnificent sailing ship moored in the Soufrière Bay, on the southwest coast of Saint Lucia. Founded by the French in 1746, Soufrière was the first town of the island. In the background stands the imposing bulk of the Petit Piton, 743 meters high, one of the two twin volcanic plugs that are the natural landmark of the island.

(Image: St. Lucia, by iStock, courtesy of Arton Capital)

The company is one of only two international marketing agents and was involved in the design of the new option. Such a «COVID relief bond» of $250,000 will cover a family of four and help the government with its post-crisis restructuring efforts.

In comparison, those who chose the donation option have to fork out $100,000 for a single applicant and almost double for a family of four. In a circular distributed this week, the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme (ABCIP) has outlined a new fee structure for its University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund option, making it significantly cheaper for families of six or more members (including parents).

Real Estate Options in Montenegro and Antigua

In neighboring Antigua and Barbuda real estate units and shares previously purchased by applicants under the Economic citizenship program, can be resold at the end of the five-year renewal period to subsequent applicants as eligible investments (previously they had to be sold on the open market and did not qualify for the next generation of citizenship investors).

Both countries are currently accepting submission of documents in the form of scans, and allow deferring original hard copies.

Aman Sveti Stefan

(Image: Stefan Aman Sveti)

Meanwhile, in Montenegro (pictured above) the youngest European citizenship program has added 4 new property options to its sale of approved properties, bringing the total number to 6.

Weekly Webinars on Pandemic «Plan B»

Arton Capital expects more modifications of programs as governments who previously benefited from such investments may rely even more on those programs in times of dwindling tax revenues.

On the other hand, more people than ever will set up their pandemic «Plan B» to have options for when the next lockdown may pose them and their families at risk, especially in the mega-metropolis of emerging markets.

Therefore the company is holding webinars on a weekly basis, each dedicated to the immigration program of a specific country.

Interested parties may register under This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.