Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship

​Answers to frequently asked questions

• How to become a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda?

  The fastest path to an Antigua and Barbuda passport is participation in the country’s citizenship-by-investment program. Applicants acquire citizenship in 6+ mounths in exchange for an investment of $230,000+.

• How much does it cost to obtain citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda?

  The program offers four investment options:

  1. Non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund of $230,000+.
  2. Real estate purchase of $300,000+.
  3. Contribution to a higher education institution of $260,000, only for families of 6+ members.
  4. Business investments of $400,000+.

  The investor pays a processing fee of $10,000+ under each option except the contribution to a higher education institution. Also, there is a Due Diligence fee for each participant over 12 years old, some other state duties and payments for professional assistance.

  The costs depend on a family composition: the larger the family, the more they pay.

  A family of four — the spouses and two children aged 13 and 20 — will need at least $273,000.

• How many countries will an Antigua passport give me visa-free access to?

  Antigua and Barbuda passport holders travel visa-free to 169 countries, including the UK and the entire Schengen Area.

• How long is my Antiguan passport valid?

  An Antigua and Barbuda passport is valid for 5 years, an investor must renew it.

• Do I need to travel to Antigua and Barbuda to complete the citizenship process?

  Yes, you must go to Antigua and Barbuda during the initial five years after getting citizenship and stay there for 30 days.

• Do Antigua and Barbuda recognise dual citizenship?

  Yes, Antigua and Barbuda allows its citizens to hold passports of other countries.

• Can unmarried or same-sex couples apply for Antigua’s citizenship programme?

  Only married couples can participate in the program. The spouse must be of the opposite sex to the investor.

• Were there any updates on the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program in 2024?

  Starting August 1st, 2024, new investment thresholds and fees apply, where the minimum investment increased from $100,000 to $230,000. Besides, adult children do not have to be financially dependent on the main applicant to qualify for citizenship.

• Does Immigrant Invest guarantee that I will get an Antigua and Barbuda passport?

  No licensed agent can guarantee a passport. You probably deal with scammers if you are offered a 100% guarantee.

  Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent of the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program with its own Compliance Department. We conduct a preliminary Due Diligence check to identify the rejection risks and find an alternative solution when necessary. As a result, most of our clients pass Due Diligence and obtain citizenship.

• Is there a way to return the investments?

  You can return the invested money if you have chosen a real estate purchase. The investor can sell the property in 5 years. Moreover, the investor can also earn rental income during the 5-year ownership period. Some developers forecast rental income of 8% per annum.

• Do I need to come to Antigua and Barbuda to get a passport?

  The passport can be obtained remotely. However, you are usually required to visit the country for at least 30 days within 5 years after obtaining citizenship. Otherwise, the passport won’t be renewed, and citizenship might be revoked.

  Only four exceptional circumstances waive the requirement to spend 30 days in Antigua and Barbuda. Those are the following:

  1. All adults in the passport renewal application have spent 30 days in Antigua and Barbuda and their passports are six or less months from expiration, but minors included in the application haven’t visited the country yet. For such dependents to receive the second 10-year Antigua and Barbuda passport, they must comply with the 5-day rule.
  2. Applicants who turned 80 at the time when granted citizenship or during the first five years after that.
  3. Applicants who are unable to travel to Antigua and Barbuda due to infirmity or acute disability. The applicant’s condition must be proved with medical reports and affidavits.
• Are there any additional expenses under the program?

  Yes, there are. The applicant pays government fees and fees for legal and administrative services. The amount depends on the specific situation, for example, the family composition. We can calculate the final cost for your family individually.

  The most considerable feeis for the Due Diligence check. It costs $8,500 for the investor, $5,000 for the spouse, $4,000 per adult family member and $2,000 per child 12 to 17 years old. Applicants also pay a passport fee, a bank charge of $600 per invoice, and an interview fee of $1,500 per application.

• Can I apply for Antigua and Barbuda nationality myself?

  No, you cannot. By law, only a licensed agent of the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program can apply for citizenship by investment on the investor’s behalf.

• Is it possible to get citizenship for family members after the investor has received an Antigua and Barbuda passport?

  The investor can add additional eligible family members to the citizenship by investment application even after receiving the passport.

  The eligible family members are:

  • a new spouse;
  • children and grandchildren under 17;
  • parents;
  • spouses of the investor’s adult children provided that the children are financially dependent on the investor.

  Additional family members have no time limits to join the CBI program.

• Can an Antigua citizen work in the USA?

  Antigua and Barbuda citizens can work in the USA only if they obtain a working visa. In addition, entry to the USA with immigrant and non-immigrant B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is suspended for Antigua and Barbuda citizens from January 1st, 2026.

  Separately, from April 2nd, 2026, the US State Department requires a mandatory visa bond of $5,000—$15,000 for B-1/B-2 visa applicants from a group of countries that includes Antigua and Barbuda, under the same White House Proclamation 10998. This is in addition to, not instead of, the visa-category suspension above.

• Can you work in the UK with an Antigua passport?

  No, Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can’t work in the UK without a working permit from the respective country.

• Does becoming an Antigua and Barbuda citizen automatically make me a tax resident, and what taxes will I pay?

  No. Citizenship alone does not create tax residency; you must spend 183 days a year in the country to be considered a tax resident. Antigua and Barbuda levies no personal income, wealth, inheritance, or capital-gains taxes.

  Non-residents are only taxed on local income; residents enjoy exemption from withholding tax on dividends, interest and royalties.

• Under what circumstances can Antigua and Barbuda citizenship obtained by investment be revoked?

  The Citizenship Act empowers the government to revoke citizenship in the following cases:

  • failure to spend at least 30 days in the country during the first 5 years;
  • obtaining citizenship through fraud, concealment, or the use of false documents;
  • conviction for a serious crime;
  • posing a risk to national security;
  • selling the passport.

  In such cases the investment is not refunded.

• Can I add a newborn child or future spouse to my Antigua and Barbuda citizenship after I have already received my passport, and what are the fees?

  Yes. The Citizenship by Investment Unit allows post-approval additions:

  • future spouse of the main applicant — application fee is $50,000;
  • newborn or newly adopted child — $10,000 for a child under 6; $20,000 for a child aged 6 to 17.
• What does the university donation option offer large families?

  Families of 6 or more people may donate $260,000 to the approved university. Processing fees are already included.

  One family member under 29 receives a one-year tuition scholarship at the university. This makes it the most cost-efficient route for big households.

• How do I renew an Antigua and Barbuda passport, and what proof of residency is required?

  The first passport is valid for 5 years. To renew, you submit the expired passport, certificate of registration, civil documents, and evidence of spending at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda.

  Renewal can be done remotely through a licensed agent; fees are $1,000 for adults and $500 for minors.

• What are the current minimum investment amounts for all Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment pathways?

  Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment has four investment pathways:

  1. National Development Fund contribution — $230,000+.
  2. Real estate purchase — $300,000+.
  3. University of the West Indies Fund contribution — $260,000.
  4. Business investment — $400,000+ in a joint investment or $1,500,000 as a sole investor.
• What are the specific Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment eligibility requirements for dependants?

  The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment application may include the following dependants:

  1. Spouse — opposite sex, no criminal records or prosecutions.
  2. Children under 31 — financial dependency is not required.
  3. Children of any age — if mentally or physically incapacitated and fully supported by the investor.
  4. Parents and grandparents over 55 — fully financially dependent on the investor.
  5. Parents and grandparents of any age — if mentally or physically incapacitated and fully supported by the investor.
  6. Siblings — unmarried, with parent or guardian’s consent if under 18.
• What is the step-by-step Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment application process, and what is the full list of required civil and financial documents?

  The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship process includes six main steps:

  1. Preliminary Due Diligence — 1 day.
  2. Preparation of documents — 3 to 5 weeks.
  3. Due Diligence — 6+ months.
  4. Approval and fulfilment of the investment condition — up to 1 month.
  5. Getting a passport and naturalisation certificate — up to 1 month.
  6. Oath of allegiance — 1 day.

  Civil documents typically include valid passports, birth certificates, marriage or divorce certificates, national ID cards, police clearance certificates, proof of address, medical certificates and HIV test results, passport-size photographs, military records, name change documents, and adoption or custody documents for children, if applicable.

  Financial documents usually include:

  1. Bank statements.
  2. Bank reference letters.
  3. Proof of source of funds and wealth.
  4. Employment letters or business ownership documents.
  5. Tax returns or tax clearance certificates.
  6. Audited financial statements, if applicable.
  7. Investment portfolio documents.
  8. Property ownership records.
  9. Sale and purchase agreements, if applicable.
• What are the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment mandatory virtual interview requirements, procedures, and fees?

  Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment requires a mandatory interview for the main applicant and all dependants aged 16 or over.

  The interview takes place during the Due Diligence stage, after the documents have been prepared and submitted to the Antigua and Barbuda CBI Unit. It is held online and may be conducted in English or in the applicant’s native language.

  The interview forms part of the Due Diligence check and is included in the standard Due Diligence fee which is $8,500 for the main applicant, $5,000 for a spouse, $2,000 for each family member aged 12 to 17, and $4,000 for each family member aged 18 or over.

• Which nationalities are subject to permanent restrictions or temporary suspensions under Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment?

  Under Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment, the official restricted countries list includes Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Syria, Russia, and Belarus.

  Nationals of certain countries may still apply only if they meet exception criteria:

  • were born in a restricted country but migrated before reaching the age of majority;
  • have held permanent residence in Canada, the UK, the USA, Australia, or New Zealand for at least 10 years prior to applying for citizenship by investment;
  • have no economic ties to any restricted country;
  • pass full Due Diligence checks.