Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment
A fast, strong passport for business and travel. The process is fully remote and requires no residence in the country.
Antigua and Barbuda is an independent state in the Eastern Caribbean, part of the Commonwealth of Nations, known for its beautiful beaches and favorable climate. The citizenship by investment program has run since 2013 and gives investors and their families visa-free travel, tax optimization and a safe backup plan for life and business.
Legal basis
The program is based on the Citizenship by Investment Act of 2013 and related regulations adopted by parliament. Applications are handled by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), which checks eligibility and runs due diligence on every applicant.
Who can apply
Main criteria: age 18+, no criminal record or pending cases, good health, and passing due diligence checks. The investor must not pose a security risk. Dual citizenship is officially permitted, so you don't need to give up your current passport.
Investment options
Choose one of four routes:
- Fund contribution. A non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) from $230,000.
- Real estate. Purchase of an approved government project from $300,000, held for at least 5 years.
- Business. Investment from $1,500,000 in an eligible project, or a joint investment from $5,000,000 (at least $400,000 per investor).
- Education fund. A $260,000 contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund, available to families of 6 or more and covering some government fees.
The investment is made only after the government's preliminary approval, which lowers risk for the investor. After naturalisation you must spend at least 5 days in the country within the first 5 years - a simple formality confirming your link to it.
If you are looking at neighbouring islands, see residence and citizenship in Grenada: a Grenadian passport gives access to the US E-2 visa.
What it costs, item by item
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| National Development Fund contribution | $230,000 per family |
| Processing fee | $10,000 for one, $20,000 for a family of up to four |
| Due diligence, main applicant | $8,500 |
| Due diligence, spouse | $5,000 |
| Due diligence, child 18-30 and parent 55+ | $4,000 |
| Due diligence, child 12-17 | $2,000; none under 12 |
| Passport | $300 per person |
| Medical certificates, apostille and translations | from $300 per person |
| Our support | fixed price after a free consultation |
A single applicant via the fund spends about $248,800 excluding our support. Real estate costs more: from $300,000 plus fees, but it can be sold after 5 years.
Compare with all programs: second passport cost in 2026
How much Antigua and Barbuda citizenship costs per family member
The $230,000 National Development Fund contribution is one per family. The fees grow instead: processing is $10,000 for one person and $20,000 for a family of up to four, while due diligence and passports are paid per person.
| Who | Fund contribution | Processing fee | Due diligence | Passport |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main applicant | $230,000 | $10,000 | $8,500 | $300 |
| Family of up to four: fee surcharge for all | - | $10,000 | - | - |
| Spouse | included | in the surcharge | $5,000 | $300 |
| Child aged 18 to 30 | included | in the surcharge | $4,000 | $300 |
| Child aged 12 to 17 | included | in the surcharge | $2,000 | $300 |
| Child under 12 | included | in the surcharge | none | $300 |
| Parent aged 55 or over | included | in the surcharge | $4,000 | $300 |
| Fifth and further family members | included | $10,000 | - | - |
We will calculate online the full cost for your family: the contribution, fees for each member and due diligence.
Which option to choose
| Option | Amount | Money back | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Development Fund | $230,000 | no | those who value price and speed |
| Real estate in an approved project | from $300,000 | sale after 5 years | those who want an asset on the island |
| University of the West Indies fund | $260,000 | no | families of 6+ |
| Business | from $1,500,000 | through the business | entrepreneurs with a project |
For most families the fund contribution is best: it is one per family and fees grow moderately.
Documents and where to get them
- passports, birth and marriage certificates with apostille;
- police clearances from your country of citizenship and countries where you lived for long periods in the last 10 years;
- medical certificate with an HIV test;
- proof of source of funds: statements, sale contracts, tax returns, business income documents;
- bank reference and proof of address;
- photos and the agency's forms.
Documents not in English are translated and certified.
Timeline by step
| Step | Time |
|---|---|
| Pre-check and documents | 3-6 weeks |
| Processing and due diligence | 2-4 months |
| Contribution after approval in principle | up to 60 days |
| Certificate, oath and passport | 3-6 weeks |
Usually 3-6 months in total from filing to passport.
What changed
- The US restricted visas over citizenship by investment. Before: Standard US visa processing. Now: Immigrant, tourist, business and student visas are suspended. Official source
- Selling citizenship became a ground to suspend visa-free travel. Before: Visa-free travel was suspended over irregular migration and security threats. Now: The EU can suspend visa-free travel for a country that sells citizenship without a genuine link. Official source
What changed since 2024
Caribbean states agreed a $200,000 minimum price for citizenship and common due diligence standards. Antigua and Barbuda introduced applicant interviews, including by video, tightened source-of-funds checks and raised the fund contribution to $230,000. Russian and Belarusian nationals are not eligible.
Why applications are refused
- nationality of a restricted country;
- source of funds not proven;
- a criminal record, open investigation or sanctions;
- a concealed visa refusal by a country with visa-free access for Antigua;
- false statements in forms or at the interview.
On refusal the contribution is not taken, but the due diligence fee is not refunded.
Taxes
Antigua and Barbuda has no personal income tax, inheritance tax or capital gains tax. Citizenship alone does not make you tax resident: you keep paying tax where you live.
Caribbean programmes compared
| Country | Minimum contribution | Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Antigua and Barbuda | $230,000 | one contribution per family, 5 days on the island in 5 years |
| Dominica | $200,000 | lowest price |
| Saint Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | oldest programme |
| Grenada | $235,000 | access to the US E-2 visa |
| Saint Lucia | $240,000 | no mandatory visit |
Caribbean programmes are closed to Russian and Belarusian nationals. For them Vanuatu and Turkey fit.
Who can be included
The application can include a spouse, children up to 30 supported by the applicant, and parents aged 55+. The fund contribution does not depend on family size, while due diligence is paid for each member aged 12+ and a passport for everyone. Children under 12 need no due diligence.
What we do
We check nationality restrictions, choose the investment option, prepare source-of-funds documents, file via a licensed agent, prepare you for the interview and support you through to the passport and the island visit. We fix our fee in writing after a free consultation.
Benefits of an Antigua and Barbuda passport
Visa-free travel
Over 150 countries visa-free or with simplified entry: the Schengen area for up to 90 days per 180, the UK for up to 180 consecutive days, plus Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Russia and more.
10-year US visa
Antigua and Barbuda passport holders typically get a B-1/B-2 visa for the US valid for 10 years, allowing stays of up to 180 days a year, often renewable remotely.
Tax benefits
No tax on foreign income, wealth, inheritance, gifts or capital gains, plus financial confidentiality and easier international banking.
Fast and remote
Processing takes an average of 3-6 months and is fully remote, with no language or history exams and no residence requirement.
How to get citizenship: step by step
Consultation and option selection
Murblz specialists, together with a licensed agent, review your situation, help choose the investment option and prepare your documents.
Application and due diligence
The agent files your application with the CIU. Government fees and due diligence charges are paid - all remotely.
Government approval
If approved, you receive a Letter of Approval in Principle. The investment is made only after this - you usually have 30-60 days to pay.
Investment and naturalisation
You transfer funds under your chosen option and pay the remaining fees. A certificate of naturalisation is then issued.
Oath and passport
The oath of allegiance can be taken in Antigua or remotely, via an embassy, consulate or video call. Your passport is issued after that.
FAQ
Can I get citizenship remotely, without visiting the country?
What investments does the program require?
Which family members can be included?
What are the requirements for applicants?
Do I have to give up my first citizenship?
What does citizenship cost one person?
Do I need to visit Antigua?
Are Russian nationals accepted?
Is there an interview?
Can I sell the property?
150+ visa-free countries with an Antigua and Barbuda passport
Visa-free or simplified entry
Services
Murblz services in Antigua and Barbuda
A passport or residence permit opens the door, but life behind it is awkward without a bank account and a roof over your head. Murblz specialists help with the account, property and company in the same country. The quote is fixed in writing before work starts.
See also
Related programs and destinations
All programs - Antigua and Barbuda:
Similar destinations:
The same program in other countries:
Is an Antigua and Barbuda passport your option?
We compare the investment options for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, check your family and source of funds and handle the application. The catalogue shows other citizenship by investment countries.
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