Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment | Family-Friendly Program
Antigua passport from $230,000. Include parents, siblings, grandparents. 154 visa-free countries, zero income tax. Processing typically 4–7 months.
Citizenship by Investment programme published by cip.gov.ag. On 24 October 2026 Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Cabinet leans toward a suspension commitment by 12 November 2026, ahead of the December 2026 Visa Suspension Mechanism report under Regulation (EU) 2025/2441. No final decision has been announced.
As of October 2026 — Statutory Quick Facts & Investment Tiers
| Route | October 2026 statutory position |
|---|---|
| National Development Fund (NDF) | US$230,000 contribution for a single applicant or a family of up to 4, plus US$10,000 processing (single) or US$20,000 (family of up to 4). +US$10,000 processing from the 5th dependant. Statutory total US$248,500 single, excluding the US$300 passport; US$263,500 for a family of 4 with children aged 0–11; US$267,500 with children aged 12–17. |
| Approved real estate | US$300,000 minimum, five-year hold, plus government processing. |
| University of the West Indies Fund | Families of 6 or more: US$260,000 inclusive of government processing fees for up to 6, plus due diligence. +US$10,000 processing from the 7th person. Includes a one-year UWI scholarship for one family member. |
| Direct business investment | US$1,500,000 sole investor, or US$400,000 each in a joint Cabinet-approved project of at least US$5,000,000. |
- Minimum outlay
- US$230,000 contribution; statutory total US$248,500 single (excl. US$300 passport). Family of 4 minimum: US$263,500 (children 0–11) or US$267,500 (children 12–17)
- Government / processing fees
- Processing US$10,000 single or US$20,000 for a family of up to 4 (+US$10,000 from the 5th). Due diligence US$8,500 main, US$5,000 spouse, US$0 child 0–11, US$2,000 child 12–17, US$4,000 dependant 18–30 or 55+.
- Processing timeline
- Typically several months after a complete file. No final suspension decision has been announced.
- Visa-free / mobility
- Schengen visa-free access for 29 countries is the point of the current EU talks. UK entry is by ETA.
- Tax and residency highlights
- No personal income, capital gains, wealth or inheritance tax for qualifying residents. English common law. Five days within the first five years under the Act in force. The ECCIRA 30-day bill is ratified and awaiting a Ministerial Commencement Order. Article 95.2 applies only after entry into force.
- Governing legal framework
- Citizenship by Investment programme published by cip.gov.ag. On 24 October 2026 Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Cabinet leans toward a suspension commitment by 12 November 2026, ahead of the December 2026 Visa Suspension Mechanism report under Regulation (EU) 2025/2441. No final decision has been announced.
2026 Caribbean CBI comparison for a family of 4
| Programme | Statutory total, excluding advisory fees |
|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda NDF | US$263,500 if both children are 0–11, or US$267,500 if both are 12–17 |
| St Kitts and Nevis SISC | US$268,500 if both children are under 16, or US$283,500 if both are 16–17 |
| Grenada NTF | US$257,000 if both children are 0–16 |
| Dominica EDF | US$266,500 if both children are under 16 |
Beyond the passport, US, UK and European families and retirees also weigh English common law, healthcare, asset protection, direct flights from New York, Miami, London and Toronto, and the absence of personal income, capital gains, wealth and inheritance tax.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment cost?
- The minimum investment is USD 230,000 as a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) for a single applicant or a family of up to four. The real estate route requires a minimum purchase of USD 300,000 in a government-approved development. Government due diligence and processing fees apply in addition.
- How long does it take to get Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?
- Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment typically takes 4 to 7 months to process from submission of a complete application. The programme requires mandatory interviews for applicants aged 16 and over. Passports are issued shortly after citizenship approval.
- Is there a residency requirement for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?
- Yes, but it is light. Applicants must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 years of holding citizenship. A bill tabled in July 2026 would raise this to 30 days, so it is wise to plan for a longer stay. There is no ongoing annual residency requirement.
- How many countries can I visit with an Antigua and Barbuda passport?
- The Antigua and Barbuda passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 154 destinations (Henley Passport Index, October 2026), including the United Kingdom, the Schengen Area, Singapore, and Hong Kong. It is one of the strongest passports available through a Caribbean citizenship by investment programme.
- What is the status of the Antigua and Barbuda CIP ahead of the November 2026 EU deadline and the 30-day residency rule?
- The physical-presence rule in force is five days within the first five years. The ECCIRA 30-day bill has been ratified and is awaiting a Ministerial Commencement Order. Article 95.2 applies only after that instrument enters into force. On 24 October 2026 Prime Minister Gaston Browne said Cabinet leans toward suspending the programme by 12 November 2026 to keep 29-country Schengen access, ahead of the December 2026 Visa Suspension Mechanism report under Regulation (EU) 2025/2441. No final decision has been announced.
- How much does Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cost for a family of 4 or 6 in October 2026 compared to St. Kitts, Grenada, and Dominica?
- On the NDF, a family of four (main applicant, spouse and two minor children) has a statutory total of US$263,500 when both children are aged 0–11, or US$267,500 when both are aged 12–17. That is the US$230,000 contribution, the US$20,000 family processing fee and due diligence, and it excludes advisory fees and the US$300 passport. A family of six uses the UWI Fund at US$260,000, inclusive of government processing for up to six, plus due diligence. On the same family-of-four basis, St Kitts SISC is US$268,500 (children under 16) or US$283,500 (children 16–17), Grenada NTF is US$257,000 (children 0–16), and Dominica EDF is US$266,500 (children under 16).
- Why do American, British, and European retirees and families choose Antigua and Barbuda beyond visa-free travel?
- Families weigh English common law, direct flights from New York, Miami, London and Toronto, private healthcare, international schools, asset protection, and the absence of personal income, capital gains, wealth and inheritance tax for qualifying residents. Short-stay Schengen access is under EU review and is not the only reason to choose the jurisdiction.