The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme allows foreign nationals to acquire full citizenship — including a passport — through a qualifying economic contribution, without prior residence or employer sponsorship. Established under the Citizenship by Investment Act, 2013, and administered by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), the programme targets high-net-worth individuals and families who want citizenship of a Commonwealth nation with visa-free access to over 160 countries, including the EU Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and China. Antigua and Barbuda levies no personal income tax, capital gains tax, or inheritance tax, making citizenship particularly attractive for tax planning.
Applicants must choose one of four investment pathways:
All applications must be submitted through a CIU-authorised licensed agent — direct applications are not accepted. The process involves:
Processing takes 3–6 months from submission of a complete application. Passports and naturalisation certificates are issued within 4 weeks after the investment is confirmed.
Processing fees: USD $10,000 (single applicant); USD $20,000 (family of up to 4); USD $20,000 + USD $10,000 per additional dependant (family of 5+). Due diligence fees: USD $8,500 (principal applicant); USD $5,000 (spouse); USD $2,000 (dependant aged 12–17); USD $4,000 (dependant aged 18+). Passport fee: USD $300 per person.
Citizenship is for life and does not require renewal. Passports are renewed through standard passport renewal procedures. Citizenship may be revoked if the holder fails to meet the physical presence requirement (currently 5 days within the first 5 years, legislated to rise to 30 days), provides false information, or engages in criminal activity or conduct that brings disrepute to Antigua and Barbuda.
Citizens must currently spend a cumulative minimum of 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 years of obtaining citizenship. These days may be spread across multiple visits, and waivers apply for passport renewals, applicants aged 80+, certain minor dependants, and those with a documented infirmity preventing travel. The Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Bill 2026, presented to Parliament on 15 July 2026, legislates an increase to 30 days over the first 5 years, to take effect once alignment with the Eastern Caribbean regulator (ECCIRA) is in force; as of late July 2026 the CIU's published requirement remains 5 days. After the initial 5-year period, no ongoing presence requirement applies. Antigua and Barbuda permits dual citizenship.
Eligible dependants include the spouse, dependent children under 31, children aged 18+ with disabilities fully supported by the applicant, parents or grandparents aged 55+ fully supported by the applicant or spouse, and unmarried siblings of the principal applicant or spouse at any age. Dependent children aged 18–30 in full-time education must provide university enrolment confirmation.
Post-approval additions of family members are permitted for additional fees: future spouse USD $50,000; future child under 6 USD $10,000; future child aged 6–17 USD $20,000; future dependant aged 18+ USD $50,000.
Antigua and Barbuda does not levy personal income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or wealth tax. Citizens are not taxed on worldwide income, dividends, interest, or royalties. However, citizenship alone does not create tax residency — physical presence of 183 days per year is required for tax residency status. Tax residents may need to file with the Inland Revenue Department, though no personal income taxes apply. Property owners are subject to property tax; real estate purchases incur a 2.50% stamp duty and require an Alien Landholding Licence (5% of property value).
On 22 September 2025, Antigua and Barbuda joined Dominica, Grenada, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Saint Lucia in signing an agreement to establish the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA), a single regional regulator headquartered in Grenada with binding standards-setting, agent-licensing, shared-registry, and uniform-vetting powers across all participating CBI programmes. ECCIRA becomes operational 30 days after the fifth participating state deposits its instrument of ratification and is now expected to begin operations in September 2026; all five states have ratified the agreement.
On 15 July 2026, Prime Minister Gaston Browne presented the Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Bill 2026 to Parliament to align national law with the ECCIRA framework. The Bill raises the post-citizenship residency requirement from 5 days to 30 days over the first 5 years, subjects the CIU to annual independent financial audits and biennial operational audits to internationally accepted standards, and requires the CIU to submit six-monthly reports to ECCIRA while continuing to report to Parliament. As of late July 2026 the CIU continues to apply the existing 5-day residency rule and existing fee schedule until the regional framework is fully active.