Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
The Caribbean Island nations offer some of the most popular and long standing citizenship by investment programs in the world.
Not unlike many of the programs, Antigua & Barbuda’s CBI scheme that began in 2012 gives investors access to citizenship through a donation route, a real estate investment route or a business investment route.
Request Consultation
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment – Price Comparison
Main Investment Options
| Investment Type | Investment Amount | Processing Fee | Background Checks | Total Cost (Single) | Total Cost (Family of 4) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Development Fund | $230,000 | $20,000 | $13,500 | $263,500 | $263,500 |
| UWI Fund | $260,000 | $0 | $13,500 | $273,500 | $293,500 |
| Real Estate | $300,000+ | $20,000 | $13,500 | $333,500 | $333,500 |
| Business (Individual) | $1,500,000 | $20,000 | $88,500 | $1,608,500 | $1,608,500 |
| Business (Joint) | $400,000 | $20,000 | $88,500 | $508,500 | $508,500 |
Background Check (Due Diligence) Fees
| Person | Standard Programs | Business Programs |
|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | $8,500 | $8,500 |
| Spouse | $5,000 | $75,000 |
| Children (12-17) | $2,000 each | $2,000 each |
| Adult dependents (18+) | $4,000 each | $4,000 each |
| Parents/Grandparents | $5,000 each | $5,000 each |
Processing Fees by Family Size
| Family Size | National Development Fund | UWI Fund | Real Estate & Business |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $10,000 | $0 | $10,000 |
| 2-4 people | $20,000 | $0 | $20,000 |
| Each extra person | +$10,000 | +$10,000 | +$10,000 |
Investment Details
| Option | Key Details |
|---|---|
| National Development Fund | Donation (non-refundable) Cheapest overall option No additional requirements |
| UWI Fund | Donation (non-refundable) No processing fee for up to 4 people Higher donation amount |
| Real Estate | Must hold property for 5 years Can share $600,000+ property with another investor Property must be government-approved |
| Business (Individual) | Buy entire business yourself Minimum $1.5 million investment Higher spouse background check fee |
| Business (Joint) | Join group purchase of $5 million business Your minimum share: $400,000 Higher spouse background check fee |
Additional Requirements (All Options)
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport Collection | Must visit Antigua & Barbuda in person |
| Residency | Spend minimum 5 days in country within first 5 years |
| Extra Costs | Passport fees, legal fees, document preparation (not included above) |
Why apply for Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment?
- Visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 140 countries including the Schengen Zone, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore and Russia.
- Taxes for local tax residents is 0%. If you choose to make Antigua & Barbuda your country of residency, you can enjoy zero taxes on personal income, inheritance and wealth.
- Can be applied for entirely remotely; there is no need to travel to Antigua & Barbuda except to collect your first passport (renewals can be acquired remotely), and there is no residency requirement.
- Dependent eligibility is the broadest of any Caribbean CBI. You can add many generations to the application, including your spouse, dependent children under 26, grandchildren as long as their parent is under 55, dependent parents and grandparents, and even the spouses of your children under the age of 35.
- Crypto wallets are an acceptable source of funds, but crypto must be converted to fiat to be used as payment for the donation option, or to purchase real estate.
An important note about visa-free access to Europe for Antigua & Barbuda CBI citizens
While the Schengen zone is visa-free for Antigua & Barbuda passport holders, this is by no means guaranteed to be the case forever.
It is at the discretion of the EU to at any moment start distinguishing between “normal Antigua & Barbuda citizens” and “investment Antigua & Barbuda Citizens.” The US has already created similar policy whereby it differentiates between various types of people within a country.
This is not something that will for sure happen, though it’s an ongoing risk. Keep in mind that this passport is your Plan B, not your Plan A, and plan to use it accordingly.
How to apply for Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
Please note that passport issuance fees and legal fees are not described below and should be budgeted for.
Donation Options
There are two donation options available with the following fees:
1. University of West Indies Fund
- Non-refundable donation of $260,000 USD
- No processing fee for a family of up to 4 people. Processing fee of $10,000 per additional dependent in excess of this.
- Due diligence fees of $8,500 for main applicant, $5,000 for spouse, $2,000 per dependent aged 12-17, $4,000 per dependent 18+ and $5,000 per benefactor
2. National Development Fund
- Non-refundable donation of $230,000 USD
- Processing fee of $10,000 for main applicant, or $20,000 total for a family of up to 4 individuals. Additional dependents in excess of this incur $10,000 each.
- Due diligence fees of $8,500 for main applicant, $5,000 for spouse, $2,000 per dependent aged 12-17, $4,000 per dependent 18+ and $5,000 per benefactor
Real Estate Investment option
- Purchase of real estate in the amount of $300,000 or more from a project approved by the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
- There is also the option to share the purchase of a property valued at $600,000 or more with another person who wishes to apply for the program.
- Processing fee of $10,000 for main applicant, or $20,000 total for a family of up to 4 individuals. Additional dependents in excess of this incur $10,000 each.
- Due diligence fees of $8,500 for main applicant, $5,000 for spouse, $2,000 per dependent aged 12-17, $4,000 per dependent 18+ and $5,000 per benefactor
- You will be expected to hold the real estate for a minimum of five years.
Business Investment option
- Purchase of a local business for a minimum of $1.5 million as an individual.
- There is also the option to do a joint purchase of a business with other applicants for a total of $5 million, with each investor contributing a minimum of $400,000.
- Processing fee of $10,000 for main applicant, or $20,000 total for a family of up to 4 individuals. Additional dependents in excess of this incur $10,000 each.
- Due diligence fees of $8,500 for main applicant, $75,000 for spouse, $2,000 per dependent aged 12-17, $4,000 per dependent 18+ and $5,000 per benefactor
Documents needed to apply for Antigua & Barbuda citizenship by investment
- Certified copy of passport
- Certified copy of national identity card
- 8 Passport photos (including one certified photo)
- Certified and apostilled marriage certificate (also divorce documentation where applicable)
- Certified and apostilled birth certificate
- Apostilled criminal background check from country of citizenship, as well as countries of residence during prior 10 years.
- Source of funds declaration
- Medical certificate showing negative HIV test result
- Two certified proof of address documents
- At least one professional reference letter
- At least one bank reference letter
All individuals 16 or older included on the application will be asked to attend virtual interviews. Passports can be collected after processing only by visiting Antigua & Barbuda in person. You will be required to spend at least five days in the country during the first five years after obtaining citizenship.
Laszlo is my trusted agent for Caribbean passports
Laszlo has been in the investment migration industry for close to 30 years. He is the director of a company that assists HNWIs in their quest for second citizenship. He will not upsell you or promote an overpriced piece of real estate as many agents do. He rather tries to understand your specific needs to help you choose the program that is best suited to you and your family.
I interviewed him on the differences between the Vanuatu and the Caribbean citizenship by investment options.
Laszlo
Contact Laszlo to obtain citizenship in Antigua & Barbuda
Other articles about citizenships by investment:
- Be careful when you buy a passport in the Caribbean
- Best Deal for the Citizenship by Investment in Turkey
- How to obtain Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
- Saint Lucia Citizenship by Investment
- Buy affordable real estate to obtain the Egyptian citizenship by Investment
- High ROI Real Estate for investing in the Greece Golden Visa
- How to get Residency / a Golden Visa in Italy
- Vanuatu or Caribbean passport? Which to choose, and why?