How to get Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment in 2026: updated guide

The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment, CBI, program was launched in 2013. Under it, foreigners can obtain the country’s passport in exchange for investment. 

Investment options

Four options are available:

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

Investors cannot apply for citizenship on their own; the application must be filed by a licensed program agent. The licensed agent is a consulting company that provides Antigua and Barbuda citizenship consultation and supports foreigners at every stage of obtaining citizenship by investment.

Key features of the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program

Antigua and Barbuda offers the following terms for investors and their families:

1. Processing time — 6+ months.
2. Language and citizenship tests — not required.
3. Citizenship interview — required, conducted remotely.
4. Minimum investment for a single person — $250,900.
5. Minimum investment for a family of 4 — $266,800.
6. Fulfilment of investment conditions — after the application approval.
7. Eligible dependents — spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 55, siblings.
8. Physical presence requirement — 5 days during the first 5 years after obtaining citizenship.

Key features of the Antigua and Barbuda passport

In return for their investment in the country’s economy, investors gain the following perks as new citizens of Antigua and Barbuda:

1. Visa-free destinations — 151.
2. Visa-free travel to the Schengen Area — allowed.
3. Passport validity — 10 years for adults, 5 years for children under 16.
4. Dual citizenship — allowed.

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment offers many benefits, including visa-free travel to the Schengen Area, opportunity to obtain a 10-year visa to the US, and tax optimisation.

1. Increased global mobility

Antigua and Barbuda citizens can travel to over 150 countries without applying for a visa. They have visa-free access to the Schengen Area states for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. Additionally, they can spend up to 180 days a year in the UK.

2. 10-year visitor visa to the USA

Antigua and Barbuda passport holders need a visa to enter the United States. However, they can obtain a 10-year B‑1/B‑2 visitor visa under a simplified procedure that usually takes around two weeks. 

The visa allows spending up to 180 days a year in the US for such purposes as travel, business meetings, or medical treatment.

3. Tax optimisation

Antigua and Barbuda does not tax personal income, inheritance, or capital gains. Tax residents spending at least 183 days a year in the country don't pay taxes on dividends, interest, or royalties.

Real estate tax is relatively law and stands at 0.1—0.5% depending on the property’s type and location.

4. Profits from investment

Investors who buy real estate can rent their properties out and earn an annual yield of about 4%. They may sell the property and recover their funds 5 years after securing Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. Property values generally appreciate by 3—5% a year.

5. Safe haven

Investors may move to Antigua and Barbuda or visit it at short notice without a visa and stay there as long as they need. The borders remain open for investors no matter what, even if they are closed to tourists.

6. Possibility of dual citizenship

Antigua and Barbuda does not require applicants to renounce their first citizenship. Consequently, investors can keep both passports, provided the country of their first citizenship does not prohibit it.

7. Minimal presence requirement

Investors are not obliged to move to Antigua and Barbuda. To keep citizenship, they must come to the country for just 5 days within the first 5 years after acquiring the passport. After these 5 years, no further residency requirements apply.

8. Fast and easy processing

The application is usually processed within 6 months. The whole procedure is done remotely and does not require the investor to come to Antigua and Barbuda. Investment program participants also do not need to pass any language or citizenship exams.

9. Special offer for big families

Antigua and Barbuda is the only Caribbean country that has an investment option specifically designed for families of 6 or more people — the contribution to a higher education institution of $260,000+. This option allows one family member under 29 to study at a university for free for one year.

In comparison, the most affordable option, a non-refundable contribution to the state fund, requires a minimum investment of $280,100 for a family of 6, provided the family includes the investor, their spouse, and four children under 12. In Dominica, which offers the lowest investment threshold among the Caribbean states, the minimum cost for a family of six is $318,000.

10. Conducting international business

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship can make it easier to open international bank accounts, as Caribbean passports are widely recognised and supported by established due diligence standards.

New citizens also gain access to the CARICOM economic space of 18 million people, which offers opportunities for business expansion across member states. This can simplify company formation, regional trade, and cross-border financial operations throughout the Caribbean.

11. Holidays in the Caribbean paradise

Holders of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship can enjoy long stays in a country known for its pristine beaches, turquoise waters, and warm, stable climate. The islands offer a relaxed lifestyle and a wide choice of leisure activities.

The best months for holidays are December to April, when the weather is dry, sunny, and comfortably warm. This period sits outside the hurricane season and offers ideal conditions for swimming, sailing, and beach activities.

The investor who wishes to participate in the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program must meet the following requirements:

• be over 18 years old;
• have no criminal record;
• have sufficient funds and be able to prove their legitimacy;
• be in good health.

The list of eligible family members is relatively wide compared to other programs and includes the following relatives:

• spouse;
• children under 30;
• both spouses’ parents and grandparents aged 55 or older;
• unmarried siblings of the main applicant or the spouse.

Children, parents, grandparents, and siblings must depend on the main applicant who provides financial support.

Antigua offers four investment options with different investment thresholds:

• non-refundable contribution to the state fund — $230,000;
• purchase of real estate — $300,000;
• contribution to a higher education institution — $260,000;
• business investment — $400,000.

Non-refundable contribution

The applicant invests in the National Development Fund, which redirects the contribution to infrastructure projects such as new hospitals, schools, and universities.

The minimum investment is $230,000. Additionally, applicants pay processing, Due Diligence, and other legal fees.

Real estate purchase

Investors select property from the list of government-approved projects. 

For purchase of shares in villas, hotels, or spa resorts, the minimum investment amount is set to $300,000. If the investor wishes to buy property for their sole use, the minimum investment increases to $400,000.

Investors are not obliged to live in the property they’ve purchased. They can earn additional income by renting it out. Gross rental yields are around 4% of the value of the property, but they could be twice as high during the high tourist season.

After 5 years, the property can be sold and their investment returned. Sellers pay a stamp duty of 7.5%.

Business investments

A sole investor must spend at least $1.5 million to develop a local company in Antigua and Barbuda. A group investment of at least $5 million is allowed, provided each individual contributes at least $400,000.

Applicants choose the business for investment from a list of 13 government-approved projects, mainly in the real estate sphere.

Contribution to a higher education institution

Contribution to a higher education institution. This option is designed for families of 6 or more. Investors contribute $260,000 or more. They also pay Due Diligence fees for each applicant:

• $8,500 for the investor;
• $5,000 for the spouse;
• $2,000 per family member aged 12 to 17;
• $4,000 per family member over 18.

The non-refundable contribution is directed to the University of the West Indies Fund. The option allows one family member under 29 to study at a university for free for one year.

The exact set of documents vary depending on the investment option, the investor’s background, and the family members included.

Application forms

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Unit requires compilation of the following forms:

• AB1 — Citizenship by Investment Application;
• AB2 — Photograph and Signature Certificate;
• AB3 — Medical Certificate;
• AB4 — Investment Confirmation;
• AB5 — Agent Form;
• AB8 — Real Estate Developer Application for property investors;
• AB9 — Business Investment Application for business investors;
• Antigua and Barbuda Passport L Form — for persons over 16;
• Antigua and Barbuda Passport M Form — for persons under 16[1].

Immigrant Invest helps investors to fill out all the application forms.

Personal documents

The list of personal documents usually includes the following:

• valid passports;
• birth certificates;
• marriage or divorce certificates if applicable;
• internal passports or national identity cards;
• recent passport-size photos;
• police clearance certificates from all countries where the applicant has lived for at least six months since age 18;
• degrees, diplomas, and certificates of higher education;
• confirmation of residential address, such as an original utility bill not older than 3 months and a copy of ownership or lease agreement;
• HIV test results.

Financial documents

The list of financial documents generally include the following:

• confirmation of source of funds, such as employment certificate, income certificate, corporate registry extracts, certificate of company incorporation, tax declarations;
• employment statement;
• bank statement for last 12 months;
• bank reference letter;
• professional recommendation;
• welfare history;
• proof of investment, such as a sales contract for the real estate purchase.

All financial documents, except for the employment statement, must be submitted by the main applicant only. The employment statement must be submitted by the investor’s spouse as well.

Certification of documents

Documents must be notarised, apostilled, and translated if not in English. Immigrant Invest helps to complete certification of documents and arrange translations.

Since the launch of the citizenship by investment program in 2013, Antigua and Barbuda has received 5,203 applications. In total, the country has issued 9,018 passports to investors and their family members.

In the first half of 2024, Antigua and Barbuda received 739 applications and issued 622 passports. The majority of new citizens were investors from China, the USA, and Nigeria[2].

The most popular option remains the non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund. 611 out of 739 applicants chose this option in the first half of 2024.

Antigua and Barbuda consistently ranks among the best countries where investors can obtain passports by economic contributions. In the 2025 CBI Index, the country ranks 5th and has been recognised as the most suitable for large families[3].

Tax rates in Antigua and Barbuda depend on whether an individual or a company is a tax resident in the country.

To become a tax resident, an individual must live in the country for at least 183 days a year and have a registered address. Companies are considered tax residents if they are registered and managed in Antigua and Barbuda.

For legal entities

Legal entities pay a corporate tax at a flat rate of 25%, regardless of the source of their income. The exception is made for insurance, oil, and telecommunication companies, which pay a 10% tax.

The standard sales tax rate is 15%. It is lower for hotels and restaurants and set to 14%, while other activities, such as food supply, electricity, fuel, and water for domestic use, are not taxed at all.

For individuals

Individuals don’t pay taxes on personal income, dividends, interest, royalties, inheritance, wealth, and capital gains. Non-residents pay a withholding tax of 25% on dividends, interest, and royalties if the source is located in Antigua and Barbuda.

Individuals in Antigua and Barbuda are subject to social contributions and several types of property taxes.

Antigua and Barbuda offers its citizens extensive freedoms and a predictable legal environment. The obligations are minimal, while the rights provide tangible advantages for global mobility, education and personal security.

Obligations

Obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment does not impose strict obligations beyond the requirement to comply with the country’s laws.

To uphold the status, the investor needs to live in the country for at least 5 days in the first 5 years after receiving the passport. Passport holders aren’t required to become tax residents or serve in the military.

Citizens must ensure that their passport remains valid at all times. If it is lost, stolen or seriously damaged, it must be reported to the authorities and replaced, as once invalidated it can no longer be used for travel. The holder does not need to travel to Antigua and Barbuda for this purpose, as the replacement procedure may be handled through a licensed agent.

New Antigua and Barbuda citizens take the oath or affirmation of allegiance to the King of Great Britain. Despite obtaining independence in 1981, Antigua and Barbuda still consider the British monarch the head of the state.

Rights

Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Commonwealth of Nations, which gives its citizens an opportunity to study at British universities. They can receive scholarships and grants for travel, tuition, books, equipment, and accommodation in the UK.

Citizens have the right to move freely within the country and can enter and leave the country at any time without visas. They are entitled to fair treatment under the law, get social security benefits, and seek diplomatic protection while travelling overseas.

Antigua and Barbuda is a country in the Eastern Caribbean celebrated for its relaxed island lifestyle, English-speaking environment, and strong community culture.

Cost of living

Antigua and Barbuda is not the cheapest country to live in. It compares favourably to the United States, but a square metre in the city centre in Antigua and Barbuda costs three times more than in the US.

Compared to European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Germany, or France, Antigua and Barbuda stands out for high grocery prices, especially when it comes to fruits and vegetables.

Here are the average prices on some important and services in Antigua and Barbuda[4]:

• apartment in the city centre — $11,600 per square metre;
• basic utilities — $325 per month;
• meal at an inexpensive restaurant — $9;
• apples — $7 per 1 kg;
• oranges — $10 per 1 kg;
• gasoline — $1.6 per 1 litre;
• gym membership — $68 per month;
• private preschool — $185 for a child per month.

Real estate

The real estate market in Antigua and Barbuda is diverse, ranging from villas to modest apartments. The state focuses on tourist infrastructure, encouraging foreigners to invest in hotels and spa resorts.

The demand for real estate has led to steady growth in property prices over the years. Since 2019, the property market has been growing by 5% per annum.

Healthcare

Antigua and Barbuda’s healthcare system provides public and private services. Public healthcare is available to both citizens and residents. 

The Mount St John’s Medical Centre is the primary public hospital, offering various medical services, such as an outpatient clinic, emergency services, surgery, and physiotherapy. There are also private medical facilities catering to those seeking preferential treatment.

Education

The education system in Antigua and Barbuda is organised as per the British model, offering free and compulsory primary and secondary education. There are opportunities to study privately as well. 

The University of the West Indies has a campus in Antigua and Barbuda named the University of the West Indies at Five Islands. It offers over 20 programs across a variety of academic disciplines, including education, management, economics, and computer and data science.

The Antigua State College is another institution offering higher education. The college has 5 departments: business, industrial technology, liberal arts, teacher education, and pharmacy.

Other higher education institutions include the American University of Antigua, which focuses on medicine, the University of Health Science Antigua, and the Antigua and Barbuda International Institute of Technology.

Foreigners can obtain citizenship by investment in other Caribbean countries including:

• Dominica, 
• Grenada, 
• St Kitts and Nevis, 
• St Lucia.

The key differences between the five Caribbean CBI programs are expenses, timeframes, and investment options. For example, Antigua and Barbuda is the only country offering an option with preferential conditions for large families.

In all cases, investors can make a non-refundable contribution to a national development fund or purchase a property.

1. Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment can be acquired within 6 months for a minimum contribution of $230,000.
2. If the applicant invests at least $300,000 in a state-approved real estate project, they can return the money by selling the property five years after obtaining citizenship.
3. Investors must apply for Antigua and Barbuda through licensed agents such as Immigrant Invest, who guide applicants through every stage of the process.
4. Immigrant Invest conducts a preliminary Due Diligence to reduce the risk of rejection to 1%. After that, obtaining a passport can take up to 6 months. The investor is not required to travel to Antigua and Barbuda.
5. To uphold Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, the investor has to stay in the country for just 5 days in the first 5 years after receiving the passport.
6. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can travel to over 150 countries without a visa, including the Schengen Area states and the UK. They can also move to the country and become tax residents to optimise taxes.

1. Source: Examples of the application forms on the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit website
2. Source: As reports Antigua News Room
3. Source: According to the CBI Index 2025 report
4. Source: According to the Numbeo database
5. Source: Official data from the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit website