Antigua & Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program Overview

Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program launched in 2014 and stands out in the Caribbean for the breadth of its investment options. The program has four routes, including a US$230,000 donation or real estate investment. 

Citizenship is granted directly, with no prior residency required, but CBI citizens must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 years of holding citizenship. 

Eligible dependants include a spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents aged 55 and over. Dependants may be added at the time of application or after citizenship is granted.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify, the main applicant must be at least 18 years old, in good health, and of good character. A mandatory interview is required for all applicants aged 16 and over.

Four investment routes are available: 

National Development Fund (NDF) Contribution

• Non-refundable contribution of US$230,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four members
• Processing fees: US$10,000 for a single applicant; US$20,000 for a family of up to four
• US$10,000 per additional dependant beyond four

Real Estate Investment

• Minimum purchase of US$300,000 in an approved real estate project
• Minimum hold period of five years before resale
• Processing fees: US$10,000 for a single applicant; US$20,000 for a family of up to four; US$10,000 per additional dependant beyond four

Business Investment

• Sole investment: minimum US$1,500,000 directly into a government-approved business
• Joint investment: minimum US$5,000,000 across at least two investors, each contributing a minimum of US$400,000
• Processing fees: US$10,000 for a single applicant; US$20,000 for a family of up to four; US$10,000 per additional dependant beyond four

University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund

• Contribution of US$260,000, inclusive of processing fees
• Available only to families of six or more persons
• Includes a one-year, tuition-only scholarship for one family member at the UWI Five Islands Campus
• US$10,000 per additional dependant beyond six

Due diligence fees apply per person:

• Main applicant: US$8,500
• Spouse: US$5,000
• Dependant aged 18+: US$4,000
• Dependant aged 12–17: US$2,000
• Dependant under 12: None

Route to Citizenship

The program grants citizenship directly, pending a 3-6 months processing period. Upon approval and completion of the investment, the authorities issue a Certificate of Registration of Citizenship for the main applicant and all included family members, which the applicant or their agent uses to apply for passports.

Citizens must spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first five years of obtaining citizenship.   

Antigua and Barbuda permits dual nationality. Passports are valid for five years and renewable.

Mobility and Taxation

Mobility

An Antigua and Barbuda passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 151 destinations as of 2026. 

Key inclusions are the full Schengen Area (up to 90 days in any 180-day period), the United Kingdom (up to six months for visits), China (up to 30 days), Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Qatar.

As of January 1, 2026, the U.S. has partially suspended visa issuance and tightened entry requirements for Antiguan citizens, capping visa validity to 3 months. 

Antiguan and Barbudan citizens can live and work freely in Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. 

As a Commonwealth member, holders may also access British consular assistance in countries where Antigua and Barbuda has no diplomatic mission.

Taxation

Antigua and Barbuda does not impose capital gains, wealth, inheritance, or gift taxes, and there is no personal income tax on foreign-sourced income. 

Citizens who establish tax residency pay personal income tax on income earned within the country. 

How to Apply

The program is administered by Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), established under the Citizenship by Investment Act of 2013. 

Applications cannot be submitted directly to the CIU. All applicants must engage a licensed agent from the CIU’s official list, who will prepare and submit the application on the applicant’s behalf. 

The typical process runs as follows.

• Step 1: Select a CIU-licensed agent.
• Step 2: Prepare documentation. The agent assists with application forms, medical examinations, police certificates, and supporting documents.. If real estate is involved, a binding sale and purchase agreement must be in place before submission.
• Step 3: Submit application and pay fees. The agent submits the application to the CIU. At submission, full due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fee are payable and non-refundable.
• Step 4: Background checks and mandatory interview. All applicants aged 16 and over attend a mandatory interview, which can be completed virtually or in person at Antigua and Barbuda or at an embassy or high commission worldwide.
• Step 5: Approval and investment. Upon receipt of the approval letter, the applicant pays the remaining government processing fee and completes the investment within 30 days. The CIU issues the Certificate of Registration of Citizenship.
• Step 6: Passport and oath. The agent arranges the collection of the passport and the taking of the oath or affirmation of allegiance in Antigua and Barbuda or at an Embassy, High Commission, or Consular Office.