Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program (CBI) was launched in 2013, attracting foreign nationals to boost the country’s economic growth by granting Antigua citizenship in return. By investing in the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa investment program, you can obtain Caribbean citizenship and an Antigua passport, which will provide increased global mobility and a solid plan B.
Antigua and Barbuda CBI Program Highlights
Antigua citizenship certificate: Antigua’s program offers lifetime citizenship and an Antigua passport in exchange for foreign direct investment, including contributing at least $100,000 to the country’s government fund or purchasing government-approved real estate.
Visa free access: Antigua and Barbuda passport holders enjoy visa free travel to 150 visa free detonations, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and Russia. The number of visa free destinations is growing, with a recent visa exemption agreement signed between the Antigua and Chinese governments.
Antigua real estate market: Applicants for Antigua’s CBI program have access to premium government-approved properties offered by reputable real estate developers, presenting a valuable investment opportunity alongside acquiring Caribbean citizenship.
Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa Program - Eligibility
The Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa Program, also known as the Citizenship by Investment Program or the Passport by Investment Program, makes it possible for high-net-worth individuals to receive citizenship in exchange for an investment in the country.
The applicant must fulfill the following criteria:
- The applicant should be over 18 years old at the time of the visa application process
- The applicant investing should do so in a government-approved program
- The applicant should have no criminal record
- The applicant should also be able to pass stringent background and security tests as directed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit
Antigua and Barbuda Visa Program - Investment Routes
To obtain a Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment and an Antigua and Barbuda passport, an applicant must make a minimum investment under any of the following investment routes:
National Development Fund (NDF) | To obtain a golden visa, applicants must contribute a minimum of $100,000 to the government-led NDF (National Development Fund). This investment option allows you to obtain citizenship of the country for a one-time non-refundable contribution. Other fees include processing fees and due diligence fees. |
Business Investment | Business Investment You are eligible for the business scheme if you can invest at least $1.5 million as a solo investor. Two or more applicants may make a joint investment with an individual minimum of at least $400,000 and a total investment of at least $5 million. |
Real Estate Investment | For the real estate option, you must purchase a property worth a minimum of $400,000. The investment must be in a government-approved development real estate project. Alternatively, the applicant can purchase shares or units in an approved property worth at least $200,000. You must maintain your investment for at least five years before selling it. |
University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund | University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund If you choose this option, you must make a non-refundable contribution of $150,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund (UWI fund) for a family of six members (including processing fees). Families with seven members or more must pay processing fees of $15,000 for each additional dependent. |
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship - Joint Investment
To acquire the Antigua and Barbuda Investor Visa through a business investment or Antigua real estate investment, you can also choose to make a joint investment in them. Just make sure to follow these guidelines:
Joint business investment
You can make a joint investment with a business partner or more in a business that is approved by the government. Applicants must note that each business partner must invest a minimum of $400,000, and the total investment should amount to $5 million.
Joint real estate investment
In this case, the applicant needs to invest with a party in an approved real estate project, where each party needs to invest a minimum amount of $200,000.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Program - Application Process
- You must get in touch with an authorized representative licensed agent, such as Global Citizen Solutions.
- Complete your application form and gather supporting documents
- Your authorized agent will submit the application on your behalf.
- Pay the necessary fees.
- Upon application approval, make the required investment in Antigua and Barbuda.
- Once citizenship is granted, your Antigua and Barbuda passport will be issued.
- Finally, you need to take the Oath of Allegiance.
Authorized representative and Licensed Agent
As the very first step for obtaining citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda, you must contact an established authorized representative and licensed agent. It is through them that you can file your application for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden visa. For this, you can contact Global Citizen Solutions. Our team at GCS works continuously with our clients to ensure a smooth application process and deliver tailor-made solutions as per our client’s needs.
Applicants must note that their authorized representative and licensed agent will be the ones to collect all documentation, apply for the visa, and then share all documents with them once approved.
Complete your application forms
Your authorized representative and licensed agent will hand you all the necessary documentation that you need to complete as part of your Golden visa application process. Do keep in mind that you need to fill out the application form personally and make sure that all the information provided is latest and correct.
Once you are done filling out the application forms, your local agent will forward your application over to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) on your behalf. Remember, your local agent will act as a bridge between the Citizenship by Investment Unit and yourself.
Payment of fees
Once you are done with your application, you need to pay your fees as per the Antigua and Barbuda Golden visa guidelines. Initially, you need to pay the diligence fees and 10 percent of the government processing fee. After your application gets approved, you need to make the payment of the pending government processing fees.
Make your investment
As soon as you receive your approval letter from Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), complete your investment by following the guidelines mentioned by CIU. You will get around thirty days to complete your business investments/donations.
If you have opted for the real estate route, then it might take longer to get your investment processed. So, there’s no specific timeline when it comes to real estate investment. But make sure to make the investment as soon as possible so that you have the real estate property purchased in your name.
Take the Allegiance Oath
After your investments have been completed, you (the main applicant) and your dependent family members will get a certificate of registration showing you have been granted citizenship.
For your passport to get processed, you need to submit this certificate of registration.
Your immigration advisers will let you know the date availability for taking the allegiance oath. For taking this oath, you can choose any two of these options:
You can come to Antigua and Barbuda to get your passport and take the Allegiance Oath
You can also go to your nearest Antigua and Barbuda Embassy/Consulate in your country to take the Allegiance Oath and get your passport.
Antigua Program New Regulations
Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) introduced several new regulations to the country’s program in 2023:
- The main applicant and each family member over 16 must attend a mandatory interview during the citizenship process; however, the interview can be conducted virtually with no requirement to visit Antigua.
- Successful applicants must reside in Antigua for at least five days in the first five years.
- Investors can contribute to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund, open to a family of six or more.
- An Oath of citizenship can be taken at overseas Antigua and Barbuda Embassies or Consulates.
- The investment threshold is final, and there are no applicable discounts or financing options.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship Cost
Once you have chosen your investment route, you will need to pay additional costs (such as a processing fee, due diligence fees, and a government fee) in addition to the minimum required investment.
Antigua and Barbuda: Due diligence and passport fees
Individual | Due diligence fee | Passport fee |
Primary applicant | $7,500 | $300 |
Spouse | $7,500 | $300 |
Dependent child (12-17 years old) | $2,000 | $300 |
Dependent (18 years and older) | $4,000 | $300 |
Antigua and Barbuda: Addition of dependents
The following family members are eligible to be included in your application for dual citizenship by investment: Spouse, dependent children, financially dependent parents and grandparents, and unmarried siblings of the primary applicant or spouse.
Including additional family members as dependents can result in the following fees:
Individual | USD | ECD |
Spouse | $75,000 | $202,500 |
Dependent children (0-17 years old) | $25,000 | $67,500 |
Dependent parent (55 years old and above) | $75,000 | $202,500 |
To find out more about the costs associated with the Antigua Golden Visa, check out our Ultimate Guide to Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment.
Citizenship by Investment Antigua and Barbuda Requirements
You will need the following documents if you are applying for the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa:
Application forms
- Application form
- Photograph and signature certificate
- Medical certificate
- Investment confirmation form
- Agent form
- Passport application form
Personal documents
- Passport
- Birth certificate
- National identity card
- Passport-size photographs
- Police certificate
Documentation Rules
All documents must be certified by a suitable person and according to the laws of the country that the individual is residing in. It should cover the following details:
- Full name of the individual(in capital letters)
- The role that the individual is acting in
- The individual’s home or business address
- Phone number and email ID
Please note that your documents can also be certified by a notary public and should be authenticated by appropriate legal authorities.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship benefits
There are many benefits that come with obtaining Antigua citizenship. They include:
- Amazing beach lifestyle
- Tropical climate
- Thriving economy and real estate market
- No travel requirements to obtain citizenship
- Visa-free access to over 140 countries across the world
- Family members are eligible for the citizenship by investment program
- Antigua citizenship in return for a minimum investment of $100,000
- The country allows dual citizenship
- Good location with established air connections to popular cities worldwide
- Antigua and Barbuda tax benefits include no income tax on worldwide income
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program - Eligibility
- Applicants must be 18 years or older
- Applicants should have a very good personal net worth
- Applicants should be of outstanding character
- Applicants must be in good health
- Applicants should have no criminal record
- The applicant should be able to take the allegiance oath either in Antigua and Barbuda or in an Embassy/Consulate of Antigua and Barbuda in his/her country.
Antigua and Barbuda Visa Requirements
This is a list of all the countries to which Antigua passport holders have visa-free access or visa-on-arrival access.
Countries that do not allow visa-free travel (i.e., that require a visa) are also included.
Country | Antigua and Barbuda |
---|---|
Afghanistan | visa required |
Albania | visa free (90 days) |
Algeria | visa required |
Andorra | visa free (90 days) |
Angola | visa free (30 days) |
Argentina | visa required |
Armenia | visa on arrival |
Australia | e-visa |
Austria | visa free (90 days) |
Azerbaijan | visa required |
Bahamas | visa free (240 days) |
Bahrain | e-visa |
Bangladesh | visa on arrival |
Barbados | visa free |
Belarus | visa free (30 days) |
Belgium | visa free (90 days) |
Belize | visa free |
Benin | e-visa |
Bhutan | e-visa |
Bolivia, Plurinational State of | visa on arrival |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | visa free (90 days) |
Botswana | visa free (90 days) |
Brazil | visa free (90 days) |
Brunei Darussalam | visa required |
Bulgaria | visa free (90 days) |
Burkina Faso | e-visa |
Burundi | visa on arrival |
Cambodia | visa on arrival |
Cameroon | e-visa |
Canada | visa required |
Cabo Verde | visa on arrival |
Central African Republic | visa required |
Chad | visa required |
Chile | visa free (90 days) |
China | visa required |
Colombia | visa free (90 days) |
Comoros | visa on arrival |
Congo | visa required |
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the | e-visa |
Costa Rica | visa free (30 days) |
Côte d'Ivoire | e-visa |
Croatia | visa free (90 days) |
Cuba | visa free (30 days) |
Cyprus | visa free (90 days) |
Czechia | visa free (90 days) |
Denmark | visa free (90 days) |
Djibouti | e-visa |
Dominica | visa free |
Dominican Republic | visa free |
Ecuador | visa free (90 days) |
Egypt | visa on arrival |
El Salvador | visa free (90 days) |
Equatorial Guinea | e-visa |
Eritrea | visa required |
Estonia | visa free (90 days) |
Eswatini | visa free (30 days) |
Ethiopia | e-visa |
Fiji | visa free (120 days) |
Finland | visa free (90 days) |
France | visa free (90 days) |
Gabon | e-visa |
Gambia | visa free (90 days) |
Georgia | visa free (360 days) |
Germany | visa free (90 days) |
Ghana | visa on arrival |
Greece | visa free (90 days) |
Grenada | visa free |
Guatemala | visa free (90 days) |
Guinea | e-visa |
Guinea-Bissau | visa on arrival |
Guyana | visa free (180 days) |
Haiti | visa free (90 days) |
Honduras | visa free (90 days) |
Hong Kong | visa free (90 days) |
Hungary | visa free (90 days) |
Iceland | visa free (90 days) |
India | e-visa |
Indonesia | visa required |
Iran, Islamic Republic of | e-visa |
Iraq | visa required |
Ireland | visa free (90 days) |
Israel | visa required |
Italy | visa free (90 days) |
Jamaica | visa free |
Japan | visa required |
Jordan | visa on arrival |
Kazakhstan | e-visa |
Kenya | e-visa |
Kiribati | visa free (90 days) |
Kuwait | visa required |
Kyrgyzstan | e-visa |
Lao People's Democratic Republic | visa on arrival |
Latvia | visa free (90 days) |
Lebanon | visa on arrival |
Lesotho | visa free (90 days) |
Liberia | visa required |
Libya | visa required |
Liechtenstein | visa free (90 days) |
Lithuania | visa free (90 days) |
Luxembourg | visa free (90 days) |
Macao | visa on arrival |
Madagascar | visa on arrival |
Malawi | visa free (90 days) |
Malaysia | visa free (30 days) |
Maldives | visa on arrival |
Mali | visa required |
Malta | visa free (90 days) |
Marshall Islands | visa required |
Mauritania | visa on arrival |
Mauritius | visa free (90 days) |
Mexico | visa required |
Micronesia, Federated States of | visa free (30 days) |
Moldova, Republic of | visa free (90 days) |
Monaco | visa free (90 days) |
Mongolia | e-visa |
Montenegro | visa free (90 days) |
Morocco | visa required |
Mozambique | visa on arrival |
Myanmar | visa required |
Namibia | visa required |
Nauru | visa required |
Nepal | visa on arrival |
Netherlands | visa free (90 days) |
New Zealand | visa required |
Nicaragua | visa free (90 days) |
Niger | visa required |
Nigeria | e-visa |
Korea, Democratic People's Republic of | visa required |
North Macedonia | visa free (90 days) |
Norway | visa free (90 days) |
Oman | e-visa |
Pakistan | e-visa |
Palau | visa on arrival |
Palestine, State of | visa free |
Panama | visa free (90 days) |
Papua New Guinea | e-visa |
Paraguay | visa required |
Peru | visa free (180 days) |
Philippines | visa free (30 days) |
Poland | visa free (90 days) |
Portugal | visa free (90 days) |
Qatar | visa on arrival |
Romania | visa free (90 days) |
Russian Federation | visa free (90 days) |
Rwanda | visa on arrival |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | visa free |
Saint Lucia | visa free |
Samoa | visa on arrival |
San Marino | visa free (90 days) |
Sao Tome and Principe | e-visa |
Saudi Arabia | visa required |
Senegal | visa required |
Serbia | visa free (90 days) |
Seychelles | visa free (90 days) |
Sierra Leone | visa on arrival |
Singapore | visa free (30 days) |
Slovakia | visa free (90 days) |
Slovenia | visa free (90 days) |
Solomon Islands | visa on arrival |
Somalia | visa on arrival |
South Africa | visa free (30 days) |
Korea, Republic of | e-visa |
South Sudan | e-visa |
Spain | visa free (90 days) |
Sri Lanka | e-visa |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | visa free |
Sudan | visa required |
Suriname | visa free (180 days) |
Sweden | visa free (90 days) |
Switzerland | visa free (90 days) |
Syrian Arab Republic | visa required |
Taiwan, Province of China | visa required |
Tajikistan | e-visa |
Tanzania, United Republic of | visa free (90 days) |
Thailand | e-visa |
Timor-Leste | visa on arrival |
Togo | visa on arrival |
Tonga | visa required |
Trinidad and Tobago | visa free |
Tunisia | visa free (90 days) |
Turkmenistan | visa required |
Tuvalu | visa on arrival |
Turkey | visa on arrival |
Uganda | visa free (90 days) |
Ukraine | visa free (90 days) |
United Arab Emirates | visa required |
United Kingdom | visa free (180 days) |
United States | visa required |
Uruguay | visa required |
Uzbekistan | visa free (30 days) |
Vanuatu | visa free (30 days) |
Holy See (Vatican City State) | visa free (90 days) |
Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of | visa free (90 days) |
Viet Nam | e-visa |
Yemen | visa required |
Zambia | visa free (90 days) |
Zimbabwe | visa free (90 days) |
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship - Restricted Countries
If you are a citizen of any of the following restricted countries, then you cannot apply for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship:
- Afghanistan
- Iran
- North Korea
- Somalia
- Yemen
- Sudan
If you are from one of the above-mentioned countries but have migrated to another country and lived there for a minimum of 10 years and have no economic ties with these countries, then you are qualified to apply for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
Reasons to Invest in Antigua and Barbuda
- You can invest and obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport that offers several benefits like visa-free travel.
- Owing to world-class education and infrastructure, the country has a skilled workforce in place.
- Antigua and Barbuda is one of the most tax-friendly countries in the world. No tax is levied on personal income.
- Owing to its stunning natural landscapes, white sand beaches, rich cultural history, and more, the country attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world and thus has a thriving tourism sector.
- Since the country has relatively low crime rates, it is quite peaceful, safe, and secure.
Frequently Asked Questions about Antigua Golden Visa
What is the Antigua and Barbuda passport rank?
As per the Global Passport Index, the Antigua and Barbuda passport ranks at 63rd position in terms of global mobility and other benefits. It allows visa free travel to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen area, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Can I get Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by marriage?
Individuals married to an Antigua and Barbuda passport holder for a minimum of three years and have been living together can apply for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship through naturalization.
Can I get Antigua citizenship by parents?
Yes, you can obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by birth, descent, or naturalization.
How long does it take to get a Golden Visa for Antigua and Barbuda?
It can take around three to four months for your Antigua and Barbuda citizenship application to be processed.
What are the investment options in Antigua and Barbuda?
Through Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment program, you can invest in the country under the following routes:
- You can donate to the National Development Fund
- You can invest in pre-approved real estate projects
- You can invest in a business that is based out of Antigua and Barbuda. You can invest alone or in a joint investment.
- You can donate to the University of the West Indies Fund
What is the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa Program?
The Antigua Golden Visa is another name for the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program or the Antigua and Barbuda Passport Program. You must contribute $100,000 to the National Development Fund or $150,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund, make a real estate investment of at least $200,000, or make a business investment worth at least $400,000. Additional fees include government fees, due diligence fees, and processing fees. The benefits of obtaining Antigua citizenship include visa-free access to over 140 countries.
Are family members eligible to be included in the Antigua and Barbuda Golden Visa application?
The main applicant can include your spouse, dependent children up to 30 years old, parents above 55 years old, and unmarried siblings of the applicant or spouse. Antigua and Barbuda citizens can enjoy dual citizenship, visa-free travel to over 140 countries, and the ability to live and work in any CARICOM member state.
Do I need to reside in Antigua and Barbuda to maintain my Golden Visa status?
No, you do not need to reside in the country to maintain Antigua citizenship under the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program. You need to make a qualifying investment under one of the program’s routes (National Development Fund, University of the West Indies Fund, business investment, real estate investment) starting from $100,000. Benefits of the program include dual citizenship, enhanced visa-free travel, and no capital gains tax or personal income tax on worldwide income.