Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Program grants citizenship in return for an approved investment. It is not a visa or a residence permit. The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) runs it under the Citizenship by Investment Act, 2014 and its amending regulations (CIU).

There are four investment options:

• National Development Fund: a non-refundable contribution of at least $230,000.
• Real estate: at least $300,000 in an approved project, held for at least five years.
• Business: at least $1,500,000 as a sole investor, or a joint investment by two or more people totaling at least $5,000,000, with each investing at least $400,000.
• University of the West Indies Fund: at least $260,000, including processing fees.

All four options also carry government processing and due diligence fees. Applications go through licensed agents only.

In a letter dated June 25, 2026, the European Commission asked Antigua and Barbuda to phase out the program by June 1, 2028, under a revised EU visa suspension mechanism that treats running a citizenship by investment program as a ground for suspending visa-free access. Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis and Saint Lucia received the same request. The government said on July 6, 2026 that the program will continue while it talks with the Commission (Government of Antigua and Barbuda). Our news report has the background.

The main applicant must be over 18, meet the application requirements and choose one of the investment options. The program sets no income or work test (CIU).

A spouse, children and dependent parents aged 55 and over can be included (CIU fee schedule). The CIU lists these grounds for refusal:

• False information on the application.
• A family member with a contagious disease or serious health problem, as stated by a medical practitioner.
• A past conviction anywhere for an offense carrying more than six months in prison, without a free pardon.
• Being the subject of a criminal investigation.
• Being a potential national security risk to Antigua and Barbuda or any other country, or involved in activity likely to bring it into disrepute.
• A visa refusal from a country that Antigua and Barbuda citizens can visit visa-free, unless that country later granted a visa.

The CIU's application package consists of these forms, which the agent submits with supporting documents (CIU how to apply):

• Form AB1: citizenship by investment application.
• Form AB2: photograph and signature certificate.
• Form AB3: medical certificate.
• Form AB4: investment confirmation.
• Form AB5: agent form.

Police certificates and certified copies of documents are also required, and the CIU sets out its rules for both on its website. Passport application forms come from the agent. The CIU may ask for more information or an interview.

The investment is the main cost. On top of it come government fees from the CIU schedule of fees:

• Government processing fee: $10,000 for a single applicant or $20,000 for a family of up to four, with an extra fee for each further dependent. The University of the West Indies Fund amount already includes processing fees.
• Due diligence: $8,500 for the main applicant, with lower fees for a spouse and older dependents and none for children under 12.
• Passport: $300 for each person.

Agent and representative fees are set privately and are not part of the government schedule.

Where to apply: Through a CIU-licensed agent, who submits the application in person to the Citizenship by Investment Unit in St. John's.

The CIU suggests starting with an authorized representative, who works with a licensed agent based in Antigua and Barbuda (CIU).

• Choose an investment option and appoint an agent.
• Prepare forms AB1 to AB5 and the supporting documents.
• The agent submits the file in person with the payments due, including 10% of the government processing fee, which is non-refundable.
• The CIU runs its checks and tells the agent the decision; it may request more information or an interview.
• After approval, the balance of the processing fee falls due, and the agent handles the passport applications.

The CIU does not publish a processing time.

Citizenship granted under the program is not a time-limited permit, so there is nothing to renew. Passports are renewed like any other Antigua and Barbuda passport.

New citizens must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda during the five calendar years after obtaining citizenship. Otherwise citizenship may be removed, with no refund of the investment (CIU).

Citizenship is also removed when it was obtained by false representation, fraud or concealment of material facts, or after a conviction in Antigua and Barbuda for treason or sedition.

The CIU pages set no tax rules for citizens by investment, and citizenship alone does not change where a person is taxed. Tax follows Antigua and Barbuda's general laws and the rules of the country where the person lives.

The Antigua and Barbuda guide covers what to check before spending long periods in the country.