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Antigua and Barbuda and Russia dual citizenship: can you keep both passports in 2026

9 min read ·

Antigua and Barbuda allows dual citizenship, and Russians who got the passport earlier lawfully hold both. But since 2022 the citizenship by investment programme has not accepted new applications from Russian citizens, even with a second passport. Here is what holders should do and which routes remain open to others.

In short

Yes. Antigua and Barbuda officially allows dual citizenship. But Russian and Belarusian citizens cannot take part in the citizenship by investment programme, so only those who got the Antiguan passport earlier keep both.

Previous passport on naturalisationKept
Country ruleCitizenship by investment does not require renouncing your previous citizenship
Legal basisAntigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act
What Russia requiresnotify the Interior Ministry within 60 days
CheckedOctober 2026

Antigua and Barbuda is a Commonwealth member, and its citizenship by investment programme runs remotely, with no requirement to live in the country. Dual citizenship is officially allowed, so Russians with an Antiguan passport lawfully hold both. The programme is closed to new applicants from Russia.

What Antigua and Barbuda requires on naturalisation

Citizenship by investment is granted for one of four options: a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund from $230,000, a unit in an approved project from $300,000 held for 5 years, a business investment from $1,500,000, or a $260,000 contribution to the University of the West Indies fund for families of 6 or more. Through the fund, citizenship costs one applicant about $248,800: the contribution, a $10,000 processing fee, $8,500 for due diligence and $300 for the passport. The investment is paid only after approval in principle.

After obtaining citizenship you must spend at least 5 days in the country within the first 5 years. Since 2024 the programme has held interviews, including by video, and checks the source of funds more strictly. Russian and Belarusian citizens cannot take part.

What Russia requires

Russia allows a second citizenship and does not end its own, but inside the country treats you only as a Russian citizen (Article 10 of Federal Law No. 138-FZ on Citizenship).

  • Within 60 days of receiving the second passport, file a notification with the Interior Ministry (MVD). If you are abroad at that moment, the period runs from the day you enter Russia.
  • Attach a copy of the foreign passport or another document proving the citizenship.
  • Failure to notify falls under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code: a fine of up to $2,400 or up to one year of income, or up to 400 hours of compulsory work.
  • Late or incomplete notification: a fine of $10-15 under Article 19.8.3 of the Code of Administrative Offences.
  • A residence permit abroad must be reported under the same rules (Article 11 of Law No. 138-FZ).

A Russian citizen with a second passport may not hold state or municipal office, serve in government bodies or stand for election. The duties of a Russian citizen, including military service, remain, and inside Russia the second passport is not taken into account.

How to keep both passports: step by step

  1. Do not give up either passport: both Russia and Antigua and Barbuda allow dual citizenship.
  2. Check your notice to Russia's Interior Ministry of the second citizenship: it is due within 60 days of acquiring it, or within 30 days of entering Russia if you were abroad.
  3. Renew your Antigua and Barbuda passport early through the government's citizenship by investment unit or an authorised agent: replacement takes several weeks.
  4. Register children born after you acquired citizenship as citizens by descent while they are minors.
  5. Enter and leave Russia only on your Russian passport: Russia treats you as its citizen.
  6. If you do not yet have a Antigua and Barbuda passport but hold a Russian one, the programme is closed to you: look at other countries that accept Russian citizens.
  7. Notify the Russian Interior Ministry within 60 days of receiving the passport, or within 60 days of entering Russia if you are abroad.

Five days in Antigua within the first 5 years after obtaining citizenship is a programme condition: miss it and the passport may not be renewed. It is wise to keep proof of the dates of your stay.

What happens to children

Children of an Antigua and Barbuda citizen born after the passport was obtained can acquire citizenship by descent. Applications include the spouse, children and other dependants, and with Russian parents the children keep Russian citizenship too.

Taxes and military service

A Antigua and Barbuda passport adds no taxes by itself: tax residence comes from living in a country, not from citizenship. If you live elsewhere, you pay tax there. There is no double tax treaty between Russia and Antigua and Barbuda. How to choose a country to live in is covered in our overview of relocation taxes in 2026.

Antigua and Barbuda has no conscription. A Russian citizen's military obligation remains while you hold a Russian passport.

Common mistakes

  • Applying with a Russian passport. Russian citizens cannot take part in the programme.
  • Not spending 5 days on the island in the first 5 years after obtaining citizenship.
  • Selling the property before 5 years. The programme condition is breached.
  • Hiding a past visa refusal from a country Antigua has visa-free access to: one of the reasons for refusal.
  • Failing to notify Russia's Interior Ministry of the second citizenship: the deadline is 60 days.

How to get Antigua and Barbuda citizenship

For nationals of other countries there is one route: a fund contribution, approved real estate or a business through a licensed agent. Conditions and costs are on our page on Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment. Russian citizens can use the state fund contribution in Vanuatu or a property purchase in Turkey.

Requirements, timelines and costs are on the page Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.

You can check any pair of countries with the dual citizenship checker and compare all countries in the overview dual citizenship in 2026.

The main risk is applying with a Russian passport and losing the fees

The law does not stop you applying for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship on your own. But mistakes cost more than fees: an application by a Russian citizen that will be rejected even with a second passport, due diligence fees that are not refunded, an expired passport with no time left to replace it, a missed notice to Russia's Interior Ministry. For those who already hold a Antigua and Barbuda passport we help with renewal, children's registration and notifications, and for Russian citizens we find programmes that accept them.

The cost of support depends on the stage and family size; our consultant in the chat will calculate it.

Talk to a consultant now

This topic in other countries

Dual citizenship rules with Russia in other countries:

More on this country:

You can check any pair of countries with the dual citizenship checker and compare all countries in the overview dual citizenship in 2026.

FAQ

Can you hold Antigua and Barbuda and Russian citizenship at the same time?
Yes. Antigua and Barbuda officially allows dual citizenship. But Russian and Belarusian citizens cannot take part in the citizenship by investment programme, so only those who got the Antiguan passport earlier keep both.
Do I need to notify the Russian Interior Ministry about Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?
Yes. A Russian citizen notifies the Interior Ministry of a second citizenship within 60 days under Article 10 of Law No. 138-FZ; failing to notify carries criminal liability under Article 330.2 of the Russian Criminal Code.
Does Antigua and Barbuda allow dual citizenship?
Yes, officially: there is no need to give up your current passport.
Can you hold Antigua and Barbuda and Russian citizenship at the same time?
Yes, if the Antiguan passport was obtained before the programme closed to Russian citizens. You only need to notify Russia's Interior Ministry of the second citizenship.
Can a Russian citizen get Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in 2026?
No, Russian and Belarusian citizens cannot take part in the citizenship by investment programme.
How much does Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cost?
Through the fund about $248,800 for one person: the $230,000 contribution, a $10,000 processing fee, $8,500 for due diligence and $300 for the passport.
Do you have to live in Antigua after obtaining citizenship?
You must spend at least 5 days in the country within the first 5 years after obtaining citizenship.
Which citizenship programmes are open to Russian citizens?
Among the fast ones are the state fund contribution in Vanuatu and a property purchase in Turkey. We will find an option for your budget in the chat.

Don’t want to figure this out alone?

We handle the whole process end to end: we check your documents, match a program to your situation and give you honest timelines and costs. Ask your question in the chat: the free consultation starts right here. Legal representation before authorities and courts is handled by Murblz specialists together with locally licensed partners.

The Murblz consultant replies straight away in the chat on this page. Describe your situation and we will work it out together.

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