Citizenship by Investment Programme

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:

• National Development Fund (NDF): USD $230,000 non-refundable contribution (minimum aligned with the June 2024 Caribbean regional harmonisation agreement)
• Real Estate: USD $300,000 in a government-approved development project, held for a minimum of 5 years
• Business Investment: USD $1,500,000 as a sole investor, or USD $400,000 minimum per person in a joint venture totalling at least USD $5,000,000
• University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund: USD $260,000 (inclusive of processing fees), including a one-year tuition scholarship for one family member

• Minimum age 18 for the principal applicant
• Good character; no criminal convictions carrying a sentence exceeding six months
• Not under criminal investigation
• Not denied a visa by a country with which Antigua and Barbuda has visa-free travel (unless subsequently approved)
• Funds from a legitimate, verifiable source
• Medical certificate including original HIV test results (for applicants aged 12+, results not older than 3 months)
• Mandatory interview for principal applicant and all dependants aged 16+ (in person or virtual)

• Valid passport
• Birth certificate
• Police clearance certificates from all countries of residence for 6+ consecutive months since age 18 (not older than 3 months)
• Medical certificate including HIV test results (for applicants aged 12+)
• Proof of source of investment funds (bank statements, financial records)
• Bank reference letters and professional references
• Passport-size photographs
• Proof of address
• Completed CIU application forms
• Binding purchase agreement (real estate option only)
• All documents must bear an apostille seal

All applications must be submitted through a CIU-authorised licensed agent — direct applications are not accepted. The process involves:

1. Submission: The authorised agent submits the application along with due diligence fees plus 10% of government processing fees as an initial deposit.
2. Due diligence: The CIU examines all documents against international databases. All family members aged 12+ are subject to due diligence checks. The principal applicant and dependants aged 16+ must complete a mandatory interview (fee: USD $1,500 per application).
3. Approval: Upon a successful outcome, an approval letter is issued. The applicant must complete the investment and pay remaining fees within 30 days.
4. Citizenship: After investment confirmation, certificates of registration are issued and passports can be applied for. Applicants may take the oath of allegiance in Antigua and Barbuda or at an embassy or consulate.

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.