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Citizenship by investment

Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

Obtain Antigua & Barbuda citizenship and passports for your whole family through a donation or approved real estate.

Reviewed by Fergus Wu · Updated October 2026

US entry restrictions: under a US Presidential Proclamation, since 1 January 2026 the US has imposed partial entry restrictions on nationals of Antigua and Barbuda, covering immigrant visas and B, F, M and J visas. If you need to travel to the US, please check the latest position with us; the latest official US announcements apply.

Schengen access watch: on 25 June 2026 the European Commission asked Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia to phase out citizenship by investment by 1 June 2028, or their nationals’ visa-free Schengen access could be suspended. As of late September 2026 no suspension had been decided; subject to the EU’s latest announcements.

Programme overview

Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment programme lets investors obtain citizenship and passports by donating to a government fund or buying approved real estate. The donation route suits family applications. There is no need to relocate, and applicants must pass due diligence.

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InvestmentFrom USD 230,000
Investment routesDonation, real estate or business
Stay requirementNo need to relocate
StatusCitizenship and passport

Summary

Antigua & Barbuda’s citizenship by investment starts from USD 230,000 through the donation route, with an approved real estate route as well. Since 2024, the Eastern Caribbean countries have agreed a common minimum investment of at least USD 200,000. Applications must be made through an authorised agent and pass due diligence, and can include your spouse, children, and parents and grandparents aged 55+.

Key benefits of Antigua & Barbuda citizenship

  • Same contribution for big familiesThe USD 230,000 NDF contribution is the same whatever the family size; processing and other fees vary with the number of people.
  • Wide family coverageCovers dependent children under 30, dependent parents and grandparents aged 55+, and unmarried siblings.
  • Add family members laterAfter approval you can add a future spouse, and a dependent child's future spouse or children (fees apply).
  • University fund with a scholarshipFamilies of six or more can choose the USD 260,000 UWI Fund (processing fees included), with a one-year UWI tuition scholarship for one member.
  • Visa-free to 150+ destinationsCurrently visa-free or visa-on-arrival to over 150 destinations, including the Schengen Area and the UK (ETA required).
  • Visa-free to mainland ChinaA China–Antigua mutual visa exemption for ordinary passports has applied since May 2024.

Why Global Immigrate for Antigua & Barbuda citizenship

families approved
7+
approval rate
100%
offering this programme since
2018

Filed through government-authorised agents

Every application is filed through licensed agents authorised by the government concerned, so the process is fully compliant.

Due diligence preparation

We review your background and source-of-funds documents in advance, reducing requests for more information and delays.

Comparing several countries

We compare total costs and what each passport can do for you — based on your travel needs, family size and budget — rather than selling a single programme.

Clear, transparent fees

All service fees and third-party costs are set out in writing before you sign — no hidden charges — and our refund terms are explained clearly.

Requirements

Investment options

Choose one of the following options; the other requirements are listed below.

  1. Option 1USD 230,000National Development Fund
    • Same contribution for any family size; processing fee USD 10,000 for one person or USD 20,000 for up to 4 people, plus USD 10,000 per additional dependant
  2. Option 2USD 260,000UWI Fund
    • Families of 6 or more
  3. Option 3USD 300,000Approved real estate
    • Held 5 years
  4. Option 4USD 1.5 millionBusiness investment
    • Joint total USD 5 million, at least USD 400,000 each

Applicants generally need to meet the following:

  • Application through an authorised agent
  • Due diligence passed and no criminal record
  • Health requirements met
Investment rules

Investment requirements in detail

Antigua and Barbuda offers four routes: a National Development Fund (NDF) contribution, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund, approved real estate and business investment. The NDF amount does not rise with family size, but government processing fees do; approved real estate must be held for at least five years.

National Development Fund (NDF)

MinimumUSD 230,000
Requirements

Non-refundable; same for any family size; processing fee USD 10,000 single, USD 20,000 up to four, +USD 10,000 per person from the fifth

UWI Fund

MinimumUSD 260,000
Requirements

Includes government processing fees for up to six people, suited to larger families; one member receives a one-year UWI tuition scholarship

Approved real estate

MinimumUSD 300,000
Requirements

Government-approved project only; on joint purchases each applicant must invest USD 300,000; hold five years

Business investment

MinimumUSD 1.5 million
Requirements

Sole USD 1.5 million, or a joint project of at least USD 5 million with at least USD 400,000 per applicant

What counts

  • The NDF and UWI Fund are one-off non-refundable contributions with no return and nothing to maintain afterwards.
  • Real estate must be in a government-approved development, with a purchase price of at least USD 300,000 (processing and due diligence fees are extra).
  • Business investment must be in a government-approved eligible business: at least USD 1.5 million alone, or a joint project totalling at least USD 5 million with at least USD 400,000 from each applicant.
  • The UWI Fund amount includes government processing fees for up to six people; each member beyond six pays a further processing fee (USD 10,000).

What doesn't count / restrictions

  • Property outside the approved project list, or a private home bought independently, does not qualify.
  • Real estate cannot be sold within five years unless the proceeds are reinvested in another government-approved Antiguan property.
  • Under the 2024 Memorandum of Agreement among the five Eastern Caribbean states, every route has carried a floor of at least USD 200,000 since mid-2024, and discounts or rebates that cut the effective investment are prohibited.
  • Due diligence fees (USD 8,500 main applicant, USD 5,000 spouse, USD 2,000 aged 12–17, USD 4,000 aged 18+, nil for 11 and under) and passport fees are separate and do not count towards the investment.

Timing and family size

  • Processing and due diligence fees are paid on submission; the contribution or investment is completed only after approval in principle.
  • Applications can include a spouse, children under 30 (no proof of financial dependence needed), dependent parents and grandparents aged 55+, and unmarried siblings of the main applicant or spouse.
  • Adding family after citizenship: child aged 0–5 USD 10,000, aged 6–17 USD 25,000, aged 18+ USD 50,000 (plus due diligence).

After citizenship

  • Citizens must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first five years, or risk deprivation of citizenship without refund.
  • The Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Bill 2026, tabled in July 2026, would raise this to 30 days over the first five years (which a family can count together); the Prime Minister says it is already applied administratively, subject to final legislation.
  • In June 2026 the European Commission asked Antigua and Barbuda and the other four Eastern Caribbean states to phase out citizenship by investment by 1 June 2028, at the risk of losing Schengen visa-free access. In late October 2026 the Prime Minister said 12 November was only the deadline to reply to the EU, not a closure date, and that the Government had conditionally offered to end the programme by December 2030, pending the EU's response; as of November 2026 the programme is still accepting applications.

Based on official regulations and Citizenship by Investment Unit information as of November 2026; amounts and rules are subject to change.

Our three guarantees

Full service-fee refund if refused

Guaranteed in your service agreement: if your application is refused, we refund the service fees you have paid in full — or you can switch to another suitable programme at no extra charge.

No extra charge for further documents or resubmission

If the authorities request further documents, or an application must be resubmitted, we handle it at no additional service fee.

Handled by professionals, fee fixed at signing

Every application is prepared and reviewed by our professional immigration team. Your service fee is fixed when you sign, with no additional charges afterwards.

Service fees exclude investment amounts, government fees and third-party costs. Refusals caused by false or incomplete information, or by the applicant not cooperating as required, are not eligible for a refund. Full terms are set out in the service agreement.

Free Antigua & Barbuda citizenship brochure

Covers the requirements, process and timeline, a fee overview and FAQs. Leave your details and we’ll send it to you.

Application process

  1. Assessment and choice of route1–2 weeksWe compare the donation and real estate routes.
  2. Documents1–2 monthsPrepare identity, source-of-funds and background documents.
  3. Application and due diligenceSeveral monthsApply through an authorised agent and undergo due diligence.
  4. Payment and passportAfter approvalComplete payment and receive your certificate of citizenship and passport.

Pathway to PR and citizenship

  1. Citizenship and passportAbout 4–12 months

    You and your family receive citizenship and a passport directly, with no residence or PR stage; passports are usually renewed every 5 to 10 years. You can keep your current nationality, subject to your home country’s rules.

    Residence requirementNo need to relocate; the current rule is 5 days in total in Antigua within the first 5 years, and an amendment bill presented in July 2026 would raise this to 30 days (the government says it already applies administratively) — the latest official announcements apply

General information only; requirements follow each country’s latest rules and can vary with your circumstances.

Antigua & Barbuda citizenship client stories

Client storyA family of six applying together for Antigua & Barbuda citizenship

Mr Mui’s Antigua & Barbuda citizenship experience. He wanted second passports for three generations.

Read the full storyClient storyPlanning the five-day visit early, and Antigua & Barbuda citizenship

Ms Lo’s Antigua & Barbuda citizenship experience. She wanted second passports for the family.

Read the full storyClient storyA clear process, and an Antigua passport sooner than expected

Mr Ngai’s Antigua & Barbuda citizenship experience. He wanted a second passport.

Read the full story

More client stories

Compared with other options: Citizenship by Investment

See the Citizenship by Investment overview
ProgrammeInvestmentStatusTypical timelineBest for
Turkey Citizenship by InvestmentReal estate USD 400,000 (held for three years)Citizenship and passportUsually about 6–12 monthsCitizenship through real estate
Grenada Citizenship by InvestmentDonation from USD 235,000Citizenship and passportUsually a few monthsA future US E-2 visa (after three years of residence)
St Kitts & Nevis Citizenship by InvestmentDonation from USD 250,000Citizenship and passportUsually a few monthsPrioritising visa-free access and a long track record
St Lucia Citizenship by InvestmentContribution from USD 240,000 (up to four family members)Citizenship and passportRecently about 12–18 monthsFamilies prioritising Schengen access, or needing ties with Taiwan
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by InvestmentThis programmeDonation from USD 230,000Citizenship and passportUsually a few monthsCovering a family at lower cost
Dominica Citizenship by InvestmentDonation from USD 200,000Citizenship and passportUsually a few monthsFamilies on a limited budget
Argentina Citizenship by InvestmentContribution from USD 350,000 (coming soon)Citizenship and passportApplications targeted for Q4 2026Families wanting a South American passport who can wait for the official launch
Vanuatu Citizenship by InvestmentDonation USD 130,000Citizenship and passportUsually within a few monthsPrioritising speed and tax

Antigua & Barbuda citizenship FAQ

How many family members does the donation cover?

The National Development Fund donation is USD 230,000 and can cover the main applicant and family members whatever the family size; larger families pay higher processing and government fees.

Is there a stay requirement?

Yes. The current rule is 5 days in total in the country within the first five years of citizenship; an amendment bill tabled in July 2026 would raise this to 30 days, and the government says it already applies in practice. The final position is subject to official announcements.

Do I need to give up my current nationality?

Antigua & Barbuda recognises dual citizenship, but please confirm whether your current country of nationality allows it.

Sources

GI GroupAfter your new status: tax, succession, education and overseas property

Your tax residency, asset structure and succession arrangements matter most before you move. GI Group can handle tax planning, asset management and wealth succession, your children’s education overseas, and buying a home or investment property in your new country.

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