Citizenship
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
Citizenship through a US$230,000 National Development Fund contribution, or approved real estate, business or university-fund investment, with a short stay required in the first five years.
- From
- $230,000
- Timeline
- Variable
- Residence
- Minimal
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- Minimum
- From $230,0005 qualifying routes
- Timeline
- Variable
- Outcome
- Direct citizenship
- Presence
- Minimal
- Visa-free access
- 154 destinations
- Dual citizenship
- Permitted
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents + dependents
- Validity
- Passport valid for 5 years.
The opportunity
Why Antigua & Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda grants citizenship to applicants who make a qualifying investment under the Citizenship by Investment Act 2013. The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) processes applications. They are submitted only through a licensed agent in Antigua and Barbuda.
There are four investment options: a US$230,000 contribution to the National Development Fund, a US$260,000 contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund for a family of six or more, approved real estate from US$300,000, and investment in an approved business. Government processing, due diligence and passport fees are additional — see Costs below.
Citizens by investment must spend at least five days in the country during the first five calendar years. Since 1 January 2026, US Presidential Proclamation 10998 has suspended the entry of Antigua and Barbuda nationals as immigrants and on B-1/B-2 visitor, F and M student and J exchange visas.
Passport and mobility
154
visa-free or visa-on-arrival destinations
Who it suits
May fit. May not.
Antigua & Barbuda suits applicants who want a second citizenship. The two lists show where it fits and where another program serves better.
May fit if you want
- Families who want one contribution to cover a spouse, children aged 30 or younger and parents or grandparents aged 55 or over.
- Families of six or more, for whom the UWI Fund route's US$260,000 includes the processing fees.
- Applicants who can spend the required days in Antigua and Barbuda during the first five years after citizenship.
May not fit if you need
- Applicants who plan to use the Antigua and Barbuda passport for US travel — since 1 January 2026, Proclamation 10998 has suspended entry of its nationals as immigrants and on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas.
- Applicants who cannot spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda in the first five calendar years — citizenship may be withdrawn, with no repayment of the investment.
- Nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen or Sudan who do not meet the CIU's 10-year residence exception.
Qualifying routes
Available routes
Minimums differ materially by route — there is no single universal figure. Amounts are indicative and confirmed with the authority before any engagement.
- Government contribution
$230,000
National Development Fund contribution
One-time, non-refundable contribution per application. Spouse, dependent children and dependent parents over 55 are included with no additional contribution; processing, due diligence and passport fees are additional.
Lowest entry - Government contribution
$260,000
University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund
For a family of at least six; includes processing fees. US$10,000 processing fee for each dependant beyond six. Due diligence and passport fees are additional.
- Real estate
$300,000
Approved real estate
Purchase in a CIU-approved development project, held for at least five years (earlier resale only into another approved property). Fees are additional.
- Business investment
$1,500,000
Approved business — single investor
Investment in a Cabinet-approved business, transferred within 30 days of the approval letter. Fees are additional.
- Business investment
$400,000
Approved business — joint investment
At least two investors put a combined US$5,000,000 or more into one approved business; each contributes at least US$400,000. Fees are additional.
What it costs
Cost structure
What the program costs beyond the qualifying investment, item by item.
Qualifying investment
From $230,000
National Development Fund contribution · other routes from $260,000
- Holding period
- Real estate: 5 years — the property cannot be resold within 5 years of purchase, except into another approved property. No holding period is stated for the NDF, UWI Fund or business routes.
What the investment covers
One-time payment per application; no additional contribution for included family members (cip.gov.ag, NDF).
Costs beyond the investment
- Government processing fee — main applicantUS$10,000 for a single applicant. 10% is payable and non-refundable on submission; the balance after approval (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$10,000
- Government processing fee — spouseA family of up to four pays US$20,000 in total, US$10,000 more than a single applicant (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$10,000
- Government processing fee — dependant under 18Nothing more while the family totals four or fewer; US$10,000 for each family member beyond four (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).
- Government processing fee — dependant 18 or overNothing more while the family totals four or fewer; US$10,000 for each family member beyond four (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).
- Due diligence fee — main applicantPayable on submission; non-refundable. The schedule also lists a US$5,000 benefactor fee (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$8,500
- Due diligence fee — spousecip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees.$5,000
- Due diligence fee — dependant aged 12–17No due diligence fee for children aged 0–11; the estimate uses the 12–17 figure for every dependant under 18 (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$2,000
- Due diligence fee — dependant 18 or overListed for dependants aged 18–30 and dependent parents aged 55 and over (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$4,000
- Passport fee — main applicantUS$300 per person (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$300
- Passport fee — spouseUS$300 per person (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$300
- Passport fee — each dependant under 18US$300 per person (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$300
- Passport fee — each dependant 18 or overUS$300 per person (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$300
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
Qualifying investment
From $230,000
National Development Fund contribution · other routes from $260,000
- Holding period
- Real estate: 5 years — the property cannot be resold within 5 years of purchase, except into another approved property. No holding period is stated for the NDF, UWI Fund or business routes.
One-time payment per application; no additional contribution for included family members (cip.gov.ag, NDF).
- Government processing fee — main applicantUS$10,000 for a single applicant. 10% is payable and non-refundable on submission; the balance after approval (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$10,000
- Government processing fee — spouseA family of up to four pays US$20,000 in total, US$10,000 more than a single applicant (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$10,000
- Government processing fee — dependant under 18Nothing more while the family totals four or fewer; US$10,000 for each family member beyond four (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).
- Government processing fee — dependant 18 or overNothing more while the family totals four or fewer; US$10,000 for each family member beyond four (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).
- Due diligence fee — main applicantPayable on submission; non-refundable. The schedule also lists a US$5,000 benefactor fee (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$8,500
- Due diligence fee — spousecip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees.$5,000
- Due diligence fee — dependant aged 12–17No due diligence fee for children aged 0–11; the estimate uses the 12–17 figure for every dependant under 18 (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$2,000
- Due diligence fee — dependant 18 or overListed for dependants aged 18–30 and dependent parents aged 55 and over (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$4,000
- Passport fee — main applicantUS$300 per person (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$300
- Passport fee — spouseUS$300 per person (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$300
- Passport fee — each dependant under 18US$300 per person (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$300
- Passport fee — each dependant 18 or overUS$300 per person (cip.gov.ag, Schedule of Fees).$300
Professional fees are quoted individually after eligibility review. Government fees change without notice; every figure is verified before engagement.
| Single applicant | Couple | Family of fourTwo children under 18 |
|---|---|---|
| $248,800 | $264,100 | $268,700 + fees |
Not a quotation. Figures are indicative and subject to verification.
Requirements
Eligibility and documents
Who can apply is set by seven rules on the applicant, nationality and background; the checklist lists seven documents. Restrictions apply to six nationalities. A spouse, minor children, adult dependent children, parents, grandparents and other dependents can join the same application.
Who can apply
Applicant
- The main applicant must be 18 or over and make one of the four qualifying investments.
- Apply through a licensed agent in Antigua and Barbuda; the CIU may request more information or an interview.
- Applicants are refused for false information, or where a medical practitioner reports that a family member has a contagious disease or serious health problems.
- Successful applicants may not change their name for the issue of the Antigua and Barbuda passport.Cabinet decision of 11 December 2014 (cip.gov.ag, FAQ).
Nationality
- Nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan may apply only if they migrated before the age of majority and/or held permanent residence in a non-restricted country for at least 10 years, with no economic ties to a restricted country.Restricted Countries List as updated by the Cabinet on 26 February 2020 (cip.gov.ag, FAQ).
Background
- Applicants are refused if, without a free pardon, they were convicted of an offence carrying a maximum penalty of more than six months' imprisonment, are under criminal investigation, are a potential security risk, or are involved in activity likely to bring Antigua and Barbuda into disrepute.
- Applicants are refused if a country with which Antigua and Barbuda has visa-free travel denied them a visa and has not since issued one.
Documents checklist
Family inclusion
Spouse
IncludedA future spouse can be added after citizenship for a US$50,000 fee, payable on application (cip.gov.ag, Dependants).
Minor children
IncludedAge limitUnder 18
Adult dependent children
IncludedAge limit18–30 (any age if incapacitated)
Children aged 30 or younger who are financially dependent on the main applicant; children of any age who are physically or mentally incapacitated and fully supported by the main applicant.
Parents
IncludedAge limit55 and over (any age if incapacitated)
Parents of the main applicant or spouse aged 55 or over and fully supported by the main applicant; parents of any age who are physically or mentally incapacitated and fully supported.
Grandparents
IncludedAge limit55 and over (any age if incapacitated)
Grandparents of the main applicant or spouse aged 55 or over and fully supported by the main applicant; grandparents of any age who are physically or mentally incapacitated and fully supported.
Other dependents
IncludedUnmarried brothers and sisters of the main applicant or spouse. A sibling under 18 needs the consent of a parent or guardian.
Nationality restrictions. Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen, Sudan
How it works
Application process
The application runs in five steps. The source gives the end-to-end timeline as variable.
Application through a licensed agent
The agent submits the forms and documents with the full due diligence fee and 10% of the government processing fee.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
Due diligence and review
Due diligence covers each family member over 11. Additional information or an interview may be requested.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
- Duration
- The CIU's brochure gives an average initial response time of 90 days.
Approval and payment
After the approval letter, pay the balance of the processing fee, the passport fees and the investment. The NDF contribution is due within 30 days.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU)
Certificate of registration and passport
Certificates of registration are issued for the main applicant and family and submitted with the passport applications.
Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) and Passport Office
Oath or affirmation of allegiance
Take the oath or affirmation on the first visit to Antigua and Barbuda, or at an Antigua and Barbuda embassy, high commission or consular office.
- Source estimate, end to end
- Variable
Alternatives
Compared with alternatives
How Antigua & Barbuda compares with two citizenship-by-investment programs: St Kitts & Nevis from $250,000 and Vanuatu from $130,000.
This program
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
- From
- $230,000
- Timeline
- Variable
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents + dependents
You are here
St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship
- From
- $250,000
- Timeline
- 120–180 days
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
- From
- $130,000
- Timeline
- 1 to 2 months
- Family
- Spouse + children + parents
Questions
Program FAQ
Short answers to five questions about Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship.
Yes. The CIU states there are no restrictions on dual nationality.
No relocation is required, but citizens by investment must spend at least five days in the country during the first five calendar years. Otherwise citizenship may be withdrawn, with no repayment of the investment. Regional legislation sets 30 days in aggregate for applications made once the regional agreement applies; confirm which rule applies to you.
Yes, at present: the Henley Passport Index lists the Schengen Area as visa-free. In a letter dated 25 June 2026, the European Commission asked Antigua and Barbuda to phase out its citizenship-by-investment programme by 1 June 2028 under the EU's revised visa suspension mechanism. Access has not been suspended, and the government has said the programme will continue.
Since 1 January 2026, Presidential Proclamation 10998 has suspended entry of Antigua and Barbuda nationals as immigrants and on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas. It does not affect visas valid on that date, or dual nationals travelling on a passport of a country not covered. The United States reviews it every 180 days.
The CIU's programme brochure states that Antigua and Barbuda levies no tax on worldwide income, inheritance, capital gains or investment returns. Wealthy Expat does not give tax advice; confirm your position with a licensed tax adviser.
Next step
Have your eligibility reviewed before you commit.
A specialist checks your profile against the current rules, confirms the right route and quotes the full cost picture. No documents are collected at this stage.
- Program: Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship — included automatically
- No approval guarantee — decisions rest with the authorities