The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment programme offers a many of benefits, including:

• Citizenship for life

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship gives you the right to live and work in the country for life, plus civic entitlements like voting, free healthcare and the right to hold an Antigua and Barbuda passport.

• Entitlement to dual citizenship

Unlike other countries, Antigua and Barbuda has no restrictions on dual citizenship. Consequently, you don’t need to relinquish your original nationality in order to become an Antigua and Barbuda citizen.

• Ability to pass on citizenship

As an Antigua and Barbuda citizen, you’ll also be able to pass on your citizenship rights to your descendants. This allows them to enjoy all the same benefits and in turn safeguards your family’s future.

• Visa-free travel to over 150 countries and territories

An Antigua and Barbuda passport offers visa-free travel to over 150 countries across all of the world’s continents. This includes the likes of Singapore, the UK, Brazil, Bangladesh, Germany and Egypt.

Citizenship by investment in Antigua and Barbuda is available through one of four options. Please note that due diligence and government processing fees apply to all.

OPTION 01

THE NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND

The non-profit National Development Fund finances government projects, public-private partnerships, and other charitable investments in Antigua and Barbuda. Applicants must contribute a set amount to the fund according to the number of dependents they have.

• Single applicant
  USD 100,000
• Spouse of main applicant
  USD 50,000
• Sibling of the main applicant or spouse aged 18-25
  USD 50,000
• Per additional dependant (excluding the spouse, siblings, or spouse’s siblings)
  USD 50,000
• Family of four including the main applicant, spouse, and two other dependants (excluding siblings or spouse’s siblings)
  USD 175,000

OPTION 02

REAL ESTATE

Qualifying real estate projects must be approved by The Cabinet upon receiving a recommendation from the Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA). Applicants must commit to holding the real estate for at least five years and can invest individually or with a partner.

• Minimum Investment
  USD 200,000

OPTION 03

BUSINESS INVESTMENT

You may instead choose to invest in a business that has been pre-approved by The Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda. This can be done individually or with a partner.

• Independent investment
  USD 1,500,000
• Joint investment
  USD 400,000 (with a total investment of USD 5,000,000)

OPTION 04

UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST INDIES FUND

The University of the West Indies Fund finances the institution’s fourth landed campus in Antigua and Barbuda. It is only available to families composed of at least six members, and entitles one member to a year of tuition-only scholarship at the university.

Family of six members: USD 150,000 (including government processing fees for a family of six)

Processing fees

The following government processing fees are applicable to all the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment options:

• Family of 4 or less
  USD 30,000
• Any additional dependent
  USD 15,000

What are the benefits of an Antigua and Barbuda passport?

Antigua and Barbuda passports are CARICOM passports that are issued to citizens of Antigua and Barbuda for international travel. They are biometric documents, ensuring a greater level of safety and facilitating cross-border procedures. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to almost 150 countries and territories worldwide.

How long are Antigua and Barbuda passports valid for?

First-time passports of Antigua and Barbuda issued to economic citizens are only valid for five years. This is to ensure that proper checks are performed on whether the economic citizen has fulfilled the five-day residence requirement and travel requirement to complete the Oath of Allegiance in Antigua and Barbuda.

The validity of second-time passports depends on whether the passport is issued to someone aged 16 or over. If the person is 16 or over, then Antigua and Barbuda passports are valid for 10 years. If the person is a child aged less than 16, then the passport is only valid for five years.

What is the Antigua and Barbuda passport application process?

The passport application process is separate from the citizenship by investment process, and requires the applicant to present a number of documents. These documents vary according to whether the application is a first-time application, a first-time renewal, or a later renewal. In all cases, a certified copy of the applicant’s Certificate of Registration – the document that is issued to an economic citizen at the end of the citizenship by investment process – must be provided.

Every time Antigua and Barbuda passport holders re-apply for a passport (for example, because their old passport has expired), they must present their old Antigua and Barbuda passport. This will be cancelled upon issuance of the new passport.

To renew a first-time passport that has expired, an economic citizen must first send a request to the Citizenship by Investment Unit through his or her Licensed Agent. All other renewals after that can be made directly at the Passport Office (a department within the Prime Minister’s Ministry) located on Queen Elizabeth Highway in St John’s (Antigua and Barbuda’s capital city). Alternatively, applications can be made at an Antigua and Barbuda High Commission, Embassy, or Consulate.

AFRICA

AMERICAS

ASIA

EUROPE

OCEANIA

Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment application process consists of seven steps:

• Step 1:
  Application and pre-approval by Globalciti
  We will look through your application to check everything is in order and confirm it meets the requisite conditions, giving it the best possible chance of being accepted.
• Step 2:
  Submission of citizenship application.
• After approving the application, we’ll then send it to Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) on your behalf.
• Step 3:
  Government processing and due diligence checks
• The Government of Antigua and Barbuda will process your application and perform due diligence checks, which includes checking for criminal records and assessing your ability to provide funds.
• Step 4:
  Approval in principle.
• Once your application is approved in principle, you’ll receive a letter confirming that the CIU has officially granted your request for citizenship.
• Step 5:
  Make the investment of your choice
• Now is the point you submit all the required documentation, pay government and make your qualifying investments.
• Step 6:
  Citizenship certificate issued.
• After you’ve completed the above steps, you’ll receive a citizenship certificate, officially making you an Antigua and Barbuda citizen.
• Step 7:
  Passport application.

You’re now able to apply for an Antigua and Barbuda passport and reap all the travel benefits involved.

How long does it take to process an application?

From submission of the application to receiving the approval in principle, applicants can generally expect to wait around three months. You are not required to attend an interview, pass tests, or even travel to or reside in Antigua and Barbuda, which helps speed up the process.

1. What are the investment options under the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme?

A direct contribution to the Government of Antigua and Barbuda.
An investment in pre-approved real estate.
A business investment.
A contribution to the University of West Indies Fund.
The scheme’s minimum investment amount ($100,000) is the world’s most affordable option for single applicants looking to obtain economic citizenship.

2. Which family members can I include in my application for economic citizenship?

You can include:

• Your spouse.
• Children (yours or your spouse’s) under 18.
• Children (yours or your spouse’s) aged 18-30 who are substantially supported by either you or your spouse.
• Children (yours or your spouse’s) aged 18 or over who are physically or mentally disabled and substantially supported by either you or your spouse
• Parents and grandparents (yours or your spouse’s) substantially supported by either you or your spouse.
• Spouses of qualifying parents or grandparents who are substantially supported by either you or your spouse.
• Siblings (yours or your spouse’s) up to the age of 25 who are single and childless. If under 18, you require consent from all persons with parental responsibility to make an application.

3. What does the due diligence process in Antigua and Barbuda entail?

You will be vetted by multiple entities:

• Local authorised agents perform KYC (know-your-customer) checks.
• The Citizenship by Investment Unit carry out internal checks including AML (anti-money laundering) and CTF (counter-terrorism financing) vetting.
• Mandated international due diligence firms perform online and on-the-ground checks.
• Regional and international crime prevention bodies check that you aren’t on any wanted or sanctions lists.

4. Are citizens of certain countries not allowed to apply?

Citizens of Iran, North Korea, or Sudan are not allowed to apply to the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment programme unless they:

• Have not lived in these countries for the last 10 years
• Have no substantial assets there
• Are not performing and have not performed any business (or similar activity) in or with these countries

5. Is the Antigua and Barbuda CBI programme right for me?

The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment programme is great value for those looking to gain second citizenship. The following people are particularly good fits for the scheme:

• Single professionals who want to broaden their horizons.
• Families of four who would eventually like to add dependants such as grandparents or siblings.
• Individuals looking to study abroad.
• Digital nomads who want greater global mobility.

6. Is there a residency requirement?

Successful applicants are required to reside in the country for a minimum of five days within five years after receiving citizenship. However, this requirement has been temporarily suspended until 31 August 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

7. How long does it take to process a citizenship by investment application?

From submission of the application to an approval in principle, applicants are generally expected to wait between six and seven months.

8. Applicant Eligibility

Applicants for citizenship should be at least 18 years of age, of good character, without a criminal record, and be able and willing to make the required contribution.

9. Where Your Funds Go?

The contributions to the National Development Fund, a nonprofit fund, are used for funding government projects, public-private partnerships, and other charitable investments approved by the government.

Proceeds from the University of the West Indies Fund go to the development of the university’s fourth campus.

Investments in real estate and business provide wider benefits for the economy of Antigua and Barbuda through direct and indirect job creation.

Government of Antigua and Barbuda

Citizenship by Investment Unit

Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority