Overview — Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship
Antigua and Barbuda launched its Citizenship by Investment Programme in 2013 and has since built a reputation for being the most flexible programme in the Caribbean for family applicants. It is the only Caribbean CBI programme that includes university-enrolled children up to age 30 in the base application cost — a meaningful saving for families with older children in higher education.
The Antigua and Barbuda passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 151 countries, including the United Kingdom, the entire Schengen Area, and Singapore. Processing takes 3–5 months and there is no requirement to visit Antigua at any stage of the process.
The programme has three investment routes: the National Development Fund (NDF), approved real estate, and business investment. The NDF route — at $230,000 for a family of up to five — is the most cost-effective entry point for families.
Who qualifies
- Applicants aged 18 or older with a clean criminal history
- Investment capacity of at least $230,000 for the NDF route
- Documented source of funds
- Spouse, children under 30 (if enrolled in full-time education), and dependent parents may be included
- Up to five dependants can be included at the $230,000 NDF threshold
Investment routes
National Development Fund (NDF)
USD 230,000 (family of up to 5) / USD 100,000 (single applicant)A non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund. The family rate of $230,000 covers up to five family members — making this one of the most cost-effective family CBI routes globally.
Best family value — up to 5 people covered at $230,000
Approved Real Estate
USD 300,000 (shared) / USD 400,000 (sole ownership)Purchase in an approved resort or development. Minimum five-year holding period.
Business Investment
USD 1,500,000 (sole investor) / USD 400,000 per investor (joint)Direct investment in a qualifying Antiguan business, creating at least three jobs for local nationals. Subject to Cabinet approval.
Key benefits
- Visa-free access to 151+ countries including UK and Schengen
- Most family-friendly programme — up to 5 dependants at base cost
- Only 5 days total residency required over 5 years
- University graduate children up to age 30 eligible
- Dual citizenship permitted — no need to renounce existing passport
How we process your application
Family Structure Review
We review all dependants — ages, enrolment status for older children, dependency status of parents — to confirm eligibility and calculate total cost.
Document Compilation
Comprehensive dossier prepared for each applicant and dependant: passports, birth certificates, marriage certificates, police clearances.
Pre-Submission Review
Compliance check against the Citizenship by Investment Unit's (CIU) standards before submission.
Application Submission
Full application submitted to the Antigua & Barbuda CIU. Acknowledgement typically received within 30 days.
Approval & Investment
Conditional approval issued. NDF payment made. Full approval confirmed within 30 days of payment.
Certificate & Passport
Citizenship certificates and passports issued for all family members. Secure courier delivery — no visit required.
Why apply with Avyanco
Frequently asked questions
Can my adult children studying at university be included?
Is there a requirement to visit Antigua?
How many countries can an Antigua passport access visa-free?
Reviewed by
Jashvantkumar Prajapati
Founder & CEO, Avyanco — 21+ years in global mobility advisory