Citizenship by investmentCaribbeanAntigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment is a grant of citizenship, decided by the government after background checks, in return for a qualifying economic contribution. In 2026 applicants choose between the National Development Fund from USD 230,000, approved real estate from USD 300,000, a business investment or the University of the West Indies Fund.
Updated
The National Development Fund takes a one-time, non-refundable USD 230,000 per application. The fund reports to Parliament every six months and is audited externally.
Real estate in an approved project starts at USD 300,000 and cannot be resold for five years, except to buy another approved property. The application can be filed once a binding sale agreement is signed, and the purchase can lengthen processing. The business route needs USD 1,500,000 from one investor or USD 5,000,000 jointly, with each investor putting in at least USD 400,000. The University of the West Indies Fund costs USD 260,000 for a family of six or more.
The investment is due within 30 days of the approval letter. The CIU may request an interview, and the regional reforms add biometric capture at interview.
New citizens take an oath of allegiance on their first visit or at an Antiguan mission. The CIU website still states five days of presence in the first five calendar years, but the 2026 amendment raises this to 30 days and the government says it already applies, so plan for 30.
Antigua and Barbuda permits dual nationality; whether your existing country does is a separate question, and some will withdraw their citizenship automatically. Local agents licensed by the CIU file the application, and your own lawyers should confirm the legal and tax effects at home.
Who it suits
Larger and multi-generation families
One fund contribution covers spouse, children up to 30, parents and unmarried siblings.
Investors with a strong first passport
You do not need the Antiguan passport for US travel, so the 2026 US restrictions matter less to you.
Entrepreneurs with a project
You would rather put capital into an approved business or property than make a contribution.
Families with study plans
The university fund route includes a one-year tuition scholarship for one family member at the University of the West Indies.
Requirements
- Required
Main applicant over 18
Adults only, applying through a licensed local agent.
- Required
Character and record
No conviction for an offence carrying more than six months' imprisonment unless pardoned, no criminal investigation, no security risk and no uncured visa refusal by a visa-free partner country.
- Required
Health
A medical certificate confirming no contagious disease or serious health problem for each family member.
- Required
Restricted countries
Nationals of Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen qualify only if they left before adulthood or have lived elsewhere for at least ten years with no economic ties there.
- Required
Presence and oath after approval
Take the oath of allegiance and meet the post-citizenship presence requirement, or risk losing citizenship without a refund.
- Depends on your case
Interview
Requested by the CIU in some cases; prepare for one by video or in person.
Documents
- Application forms AB1 to AB5Application, photograph and signature certificate, medical certificate, investment confirmation and agent form.
- Passport application formsOne per family member, supplied by the agent.
- Police certificatesFrom countries of citizenship and residence, including Canada for anyone 16 or over who lived there more than six months.
- Certified civil documentsBirth and marriage certificates and passport copies, certified in the form the CIU prescribes.
- Proof of funds and source of wealthBank statements, business records or sale documents explaining the money.
Timeline
- 1Representative and licensed agentAn authorised representative prepares the file with a licensed agent in Antigua.
- 2SubmissionThe agent files forms AB1 to AB5.
- 3Due diligenceBackground checks on family members aged 12 and over; an interview if requested.
- 4Approval and paymentPay the investment within 30 days of the approval letter.
- 5Certificate and passportsThe CIU issues certificates of registration and the passport office issues passports.
- 6Oath and presenceTake the oath of allegiance and complete the required days in the country.
Tax notes
- Antigua and Barbuda does not tax individuals on income, yet the passport alone creates no tax residence; that depends on where you live and on the rules of the country you leave.
- US citizens and green card holders stay subject to worldwide US taxation whatever other nationality they acquire.
- Home-country rules on exit taxation, controlled foreign companies and reporting remain in force; get local advice before acting on a new citizenship.
General information, not tax advice. Your position depends on your circumstances.
Banking fit
- Some banks now ask Antiguan investor citizens to name their primary nationality and show residence documents; have both ready.
- Under CRS, accounts are reported to the countries where you are tax resident, not to the country of your newest passport.
Questions
What does Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cost in 2026?
The lowest route is a USD 230,000 fund contribution per application. Approved real estate starts at USD 300,000.
Can my family be included?
Yes. Spouses, children up to 30 who depend on you financially, adult children with disabilities, parents or grandparents aged 55 or older and unmarried siblings qualify. The fund contribution stays the same.
How many days must I spend in Antigua and Barbuda?
The CIU website still says five days within the first five calendar years. A bill tabled on 14 July 2026 raises this to 30 days, which the Prime Minister says already applies in practice. Plan for 30 days after the grant.
Is an interview required?
The CIU says it may ask for one, and the regional reforms add biometric capture at interview for new applicants. Prepare as if you will be interviewed, by video or in person.
Is Antigua and Barbuda citizenship still worth it after the US restrictions?
That depends on your reason. Since January 2026 the passport no longer helps with new US visitor or student visas, and the EU has asked for a phase-out by June 2028. For family coverage and Commonwealth ties it can still fit; for US travel it does not.
More in Antigua and Barbuda
Other citizenship programmes
- Dominica citizenship by investmentDominica's citizenship by investment programme grants citizenship, at the government's discretion, to applicants who pass due diligence and an interview and then invest. In 2026 the two routes are a non-refundable Economic Diversification Fund contribution from USD 200,000 and approved real estate from USD 200,000.View
Dominica - St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investmentCitizenship by investment in St Kitts and Nevis is a discretionary grant of citizenship to applicants who pass due diligence and an interview and then make a qualifying investment. In 2026 the main routes are a USD 250,000 Sustainable Island State Contribution, the Public Benefit Option and approved real estate from USD 325,000.View
St Kitts and Nevis - Grenada citizenship by investmentGrenadian citizenship by investment is a discretionary grant of citizenship by the Minister, on the recommendation of the Citizenship by Investment Committee, after due diligence and an interview. In 2026 qualifying investments are a USD 235,000 National Transformation Fund contribution or an approved real estate project from USD 270,000.View
Grenada - Saint Lucia citizenship by investmentSaint Lucian citizenship by investment is granted by the Citizenship by Investment Board after law-enforcement and third-party due diligence and an interview. In 2026 the qualifying investments are a USD 240,000 National Economic Fund contribution, USD 300,000 in non-interest-bearing government bonds held for five years, approved real estate or an approved enterprise project.View
Saint Lucia - Türkiye citizenship by investmentTurkish citizenship by investment is an exceptional naturalisation under Article 12 of Law No. 5901, granted by Presidential decision to foreign investors whose qualifying investment a ministry or regulator has certified. In 2026 the minimums are USD 400,000 in real estate or USD 500,000 in deposits, government bonds, funds or a private pension, each held three years.View
Türkiye - São Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investmentSão Tomé and Príncipe citizenship by investment is a discretionary grant of nationality under Decree-Law No. 07/2025 to applicants who pass due diligence and a Public Prosecutor review and then contribute to the National Transformation Fund. In 2026 the minimum is USD 90,000 for a single applicant and USD 95,000 for a family of two to four.View
São Tomé and Príncipe
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Sources
- Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit: Citizenship (routes, eligibility, presence rule), retrieved 2026-10-25
- CIU: National Development Fund, retrieved 2026-10-25
- CIU: Real estate option, retrieved 2026-10-25
- CIU: Business investment option, retrieved 2026-10-25
- CIU: University of the West Indies Fund, retrieved 2026-10-25
- CIU: Schedule of fees, retrieved 2026-10-25
- CIU: Dependants, retrieved 2026-10-25
- CIU: How to apply and application forms, retrieved 2026-10-25
- CIU: FAQ and restricted countries list, retrieved 2026-10-25
- Antigua Observer: 30-day residency among CIP amendments (15 July 2026), retrieved 2026-10-25
- OECS: Implementation of the CBI Memorandum of Agreement (USD 200,000 minimum from 1 July 2024), retrieved 2026-10-25
- ECCIRA: Agreement establishing the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority, retrieved 2026-10-25
- Federal Register: Proclamation 10998 restricting entry (16 December 2025), retrieved 2026-10-25
- US Department of State: Suspension of visa issuance under Proclamation 10998, retrieved 2026-10-25
- Government of Antigua and Barbuda: response to the European Commission letter of 25 June 2026, retrieved 2026-10-25
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2025/2441 revising the visa suspension mechanism, retrieved 2026-10-25
- GOV.UK: Immigration Rules Appendix ETA National List, retrieved 2026-10-25
- EUR-Lex: Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, visa-exempt third countries (Annex II), retrieved 2026-10-25
- OECS: Heads of Government sign the ECCIRA agreement (23 September 2025), retrieved 2026-10-25
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