Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

Investment pathway

National Development Fund contribution; University of the West Indies contribution; approved real estate; or eligible business investment. Real estate from USD 300,000 in an approved project, subject to a holding period. Business route from USD 1.5 million individually.

Minimum investment

USD 230,000 (National Development Fund contribution)

Checked against official programme sources

Eligible dependents

Spouse; children under 30 who are financially dependent on the main applicant; children aged 18+ with a physical or mental disability who are fully supported; parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse aged 55+ who are financially dependent; unmarried siblings of the main applicant or spouse. Spouse, dependent children and dependent parents over 55 may be included with no additional NDF contribution; fees apply per person.

Checked against official programme sources

1. 1Start with an authorised representative, who works with a licensed agent based in Antigua and Barbuda; only the licensed agent submits the application, in person, to the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
2. 2Prepare the official forms (AB1 to AB5 plus passport forms), including medical and investment-confirmation forms; the full due diligence fee and 10% of the government processing fee are paid on submission.
3. 3The Unit runs background checks and may ask for more information or an interview; the licensed agent is told the decision.
4. 4Once the approval letter arrives, pay the investment and the remaining processing and passport fees; for the National Development Fund option the contribution is due within 30 days.
5. 5Take the oath or affirmation of allegiance on your first visit to Antigua and Barbuda, or at an embassy, high commission or consular office.
6. 6The passport is valid for five years; renewal is only considered if the holder has spent a total of five days in Antigua and Barbuda during that period.

Steps and timings can change; your advisor confirms the current process before you apply.

Indicative processing timeframe

About 14 months on average (10 to 18 months), based on late-2025 data.

Checked against official programme sources

Qualifying investment amounts and government fees are always shown separately. We do not publish single "total price" figures, as the total depends on family composition and circumstances.

Government fees

Processing fees: USD 10,000 single applicant; USD 20,000 family of up to four; plus USD 10,000 per dependant from the fifth onwards. 10% is paid on submission, the balance on approval.

Due diligence fees

USD 8,500 main applicant; USD 5,000 spouse; USD 2,000 per dependant aged 12–17; USD 4,000 per dependant aged 18–30; USD 4,000 per parent aged 55+. Payable in full on submission. Passport fees are charged separately.

Estimated additional costs

Processing fee USD 10,000 (single) or USD 20,000 (family of up to four), plus USD 10,000 per further dependant; due diligence USD 8,500 for the main applicant, USD 5,000 for a spouse, USD 2,000 per dependant aged 12–17, USD 4,000 per dependant aged 18–30 and USD 4,000 per parent aged 55+.

Investment holding period

Real estate may not be resold for five years, except to buy another approved property.

Checked against official programme sources

Residence requirements

At least five days in the country within the first five years of citizenship. Reported: a 2026 bill would raise the requirement from five days to 30, and the Prime Minister told Parliament the 30-day rule is already applied administratively; the Citizenship by Investment Unit's website still gives five days.

Renewal requirements

Not applicable — citizenship.

Potential route to citizenship

Not applicable — citizenship is granted directly.

Checked against official programme sources

Applicants and included dependants undergo background and source-of-funds checks by the relevant authority. Documentation requirements are confirmed during preparation — no documents are needed for an initial consultation.

1. 23 Sept 2026

   Antigua and Barbuda moves towards a 30-day stay

   A 2026 bill would raise Antigua and Barbuda's stay requirement from five days to 30 within five years of citizenship. The Prime Minister told Parliament the 30-day rule is already applied administratively; the Citizenship by Investment Unit's website still gives five days.

2. 1 Jan 2026

   US entry restrictions for Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica

   A US proclamation suspends immigrant visas and visitor, student and exchange visas for nationals of Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica, citing citizenship by investment without residence.

All programme changes

• Applications are decided by the relevant government authority; approval is never automatic.
• Enhanced due diligence on the applicant, dependants and source of funds applies.
• Program terms, thresholds and fees are subject to change by legislation.
• Second citizenship may have tax, reporting or dual-nationality implications in your home country.

Operational status

Operational

Official government authority

Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), Antigua and Barbuda

Nationality restrictions

Restricted countries: Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen, unless the applicant left before adulthood, or has ten years' permanent residence elsewhere and no economic ties there. Applications from Russian and Belarusian nationals have been suspended since July 2022.

To be confirmed

Legal basis