Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment — Caribbean CBI Programme

Programme Overview

Established in 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme is among the most established and respected in the Caribbean. It ranks consistently in the top tier of global CBI programmes for the breadth of its investment routes, the speed of processing, and the strength of the resulting passport.

The programme is administered by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), a government body that conducts multi-layer due diligence on all applicants. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship is granted by the government as a discretionary right — not automatically conferred — meaning the CIU can decline applications that do not meet its standards.

For high-net-worth individuals seeking a second passport for lifestyle flexibility, travel convenience, or tax planning, Antigua and Barbuda represents a mature, well-regulated option.

Investment Routes

1. National Development Fund (NDF) — Non-Refundable Donation

The NDF route is a direct donation to a government fund used for national development projects.

• Single applicant or family of up to four: $230,000 (following the price increase that took effect on 1 August 2024, when the minimum rose from the previous $100,000 — a 130% increase)
• Each additional dependant beyond four: $15,000

The NDF route is the most straightforward path for families: a single payment with no ongoing obligations and no property to manage or exit.

2. Real Estate Investment

Applicants may invest in pre-approved real estate developments designated by the government.

• Minimum investment: $200,000 (in approved projects)
• Holding period: Five years from the date of passport issuance
• Resale: Permitted after five years; the property can then be sold to a new CBI applicant, making it a recurring investment asset for developers

The real estate route suits investors who wish to combine second citizenship with a Caribbean property purchase. Approved projects span luxury resort developments in Jumby Bay, Nonsuch Bay, and other locations across both islands. Due diligence on the developer is strongly advised — not all approved projects are equally well-managed.

3. Business Investment

For applicants establishing or acquiring a business in Antigua and Barbuda:

• Sole investor: $1,500,000 in a qualifying business
• Joint investors (two or more): $5,000,000 total, minimum $400,000 per investor

This route suits investors with active business interests who wish to establish a presence in the Caribbean.

4. University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund

A unique route available to families of six or more:

• Minimum contribution: $260,000 to the UWI fund (inclusive of processing fees), with $10,000 for each additional dependant beyond six
• Eligibility: Applicant family must have at least six members (applicant, spouse, and four or more dependants)
• Benefit: Includes one year of tuition-only scholarship for one family member at UWI

This route offers the best value per applicant for large families and is the only Caribbean CBI route that includes an educational benefit.

Visa-Free and Visa-on-Arrival Access

As of 2026, Antiguan passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 150 countries and territories, including:

• The Schengen Area (all 29 member states)
• The United Kingdom — note: post-Brexit, Antiguan passport holders retain visa-free travel to the UK but no longer have an automatic right to live and work there
• Canada
• Singapore
• Hong Kong
• Most of Latin America and the Caribbean

The Antiguan passport is not a route to working rights in the UK or EU without a separate visa application.

The Residency Requirement

One of Antigua and Barbuda's distinguishing features is its physical presence requirement: applicants and their family members must spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda during the first five years following naturalisation. This is among the lowest residency obligations of any citizenship programme globally and is straightforward for most applicants to satisfy.

Failure to meet the five-day requirement may result in citizenship being revoked, so compliance should be documented.

Taxation in Antigua and Barbuda

Antigua and Barbuda imposes no income tax on individuals, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax. The jurisdiction operates a territorial system, and individuals resident in Antigua are not taxed on foreign-source income. There is a modest property tax and stamp duty on real estate transactions.

For individuals seeking tax efficiency alongside a second passport, Antigua and Barbuda is competitive within the Caribbean — though it does not have an extensive network of double taxation treaties.

Due Diligence and Processing

Processing typically takes 3–6 months from submission of a complete application. The CIU conducts:

• A primary background check
• An international vetting process through an independent due diligence agency
• A review by a government committee before final approval

All adult applicants (18 and over) must attend an interview at the discretion of the CIU, though interviews are not always required.

Applications are submitted through licensed and authorised agents — it is not possible to apply directly to the CIU without an authorised representative.

Dependants

The programme allows inclusion of:

• Spouse or common-law partner
• Children under 18
• Financially dependent children up to age 30 (in full-time education)
• Parents and grandparents of the main applicant or spouse (aged 55 and over, financially dependent)
• Financially dependent children of any age if medically certified as unable to support themselves

This makes the Antigua programme particularly attractive for multi-generational families.

Costs Beyond the Investment

In addition to the primary investment amount, applicants should budget for:

• Government processing fees (approximately $30,000 for a family of up to four under the NDF route; varies by route and family size)
• Due diligence fees (typically around $8,500 for the main applicant and $5,000 for a spouse, with lower fees for other adult dependants)
• Authorised agent fees (vary by firm)
• Passport issuance and collection fees

Since the August 2024 increase, the NDF contribution is $230,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four. Inclusive of government processing fees (approximately $30,000 for a family of four), due diligence fees, and agent fees, the total outlay for the NDF route typically falls in the region of $260,000–$285,000 before advisory fees.

Comparing Antigua to Other Caribbean CBI Programmes

Antigua sits in the mid-range of Caribbean CBI on cost and quality. It competes directly with Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Grenada. Its differentiators:

• The UWI Fund route for large families
• The Commonwealth connection (though this carries limited practical benefit since Brexit)
• Established programme with a long track record

St Kitts and Nevis and Grenada are generally considered to offer stronger passports (higher visa-free access counts), while Dominica and Saint Lucia offer lower entry costs on the donation route.

Compliance Caveats

Citizenship by investment programmes are subject to regulatory change. Investment requirements, visa-free access arrangements, and programme terms can all be amended by the government without notice. Rules around holding periods and residency requirements are binding conditions of citizenship and should not be ignored.

The information in this guide is based on publicly available programme terms as of 2026. Due diligence fees and processing times are indicative. Past processing times do not guarantee future timelines. Investment returns — where applicable — are not guaranteed.

Always seek independent legal and tax advice before proceeding. This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, tax, or investment advice.

How Global Investments Can Help

Global Investments has worked with high-net-worth clients on citizenship and residency planning for over three decades. We work with vetted, authorised legal representatives across the Caribbean to ensure clients receive independent, regulated advice.

Our citizenship advisory service covers:

• Programme selection across all Caribbean and European CBI/RBI options
• Introduction to authorised agents and legal counsel
• Coordination with wealth management and tax advisers
• Ongoing compliance support including residency documentation

To discuss whether the Antigua and Barbuda CBI programme is appropriate for your circumstances, contact our citizenship planning team.