Whether it’s the crystal clear blue waters of the Caribbean Sea or landscapes filled with rich vegetation, there’s something decidedly magical about Antigua and Barbuda. Expats from all over the world have been drawn in like magnets, enticed by the prospect of becoming a citizen of this gorgeous island nation. Thanks to Antigua and Barbuda’s second citizenship scheme, gaining citizenship and a Caribbean passport has never been easier.
Ranked 59th in the Global Passport Index, the Antigua and Barbuda passport ranks high and offers exclusive travel rights. With visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, Hong Kong, and Singapore, it is a considerable asset for global citizens and international families who value free movement.
Read on for further details on how to obtain an Antigua passport by investment for yourself and your family.
Antigua and Barbuda Passport Benefits
How to Obtain Your Passport
In order to receive a passport by investment, investors need to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program. Launched in 2012, this investment program has been a success, substantially promoting economic development in the country. For a minimum investment of $100,000, you can acquire Antigua and Barbuda citizenship.
There are four investment options in the program:
- Make a donation starting at $100,000 to the National Development Fund
- Buy a pre-approved real estate project worth a minimum of $200,000. It can be a single property, a joint investment, or shares of resorts or villas. The investment must be maintained for at least five years.
- Invest $1.5 million to establish a business. An applicant investing in this route also has the option to make a joint investment with a minimum value of $400,000 and a total investment of at least $5 million.
- Make a donation of $150,000 or more to the University of the West Indies Fund. This option is open to families of six or more and entitles one member of the family to a one-year, tuition-only, scholarship at the University of the West Indies.
Passport requirements
In order to be a successful passport applicant, you need to fulfill the following mandatory requirements:
- Be over 18 years old
- Have an outstanding character
- Hold no criminal record
- Have excellent health
- Residence requirement of five days within five calendar years of registering as a citizen
- Be willing to take the oath of allegiance in Antigua and Barbuda itself or in any Embassy, High Commission, or Consulate of Antigua and Barbuda
Do I need to stay in Antigua and Barbuda?
Antigua and Barbuda is internationally famous for its turquoise waters, white sand beaches, lush vegetation, and luxury Antigua and Barbuda real estate. No wonder it has been called by many a “piece of paradise.” However, whether or not you would like to reside on the island, once you obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, is entirely up to you. The country imposes very few restrictions on its citizens who invest.
During the citizenship by investment obtention process, applicants do not need to travel to the country. The application can be done entirely remotely. Moreover, there is no interview, education, or English-language requirements.
Once you acquire Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, the only requirement you must fulfill is to spend a minimum of five days in the country (consecutive or not) within five calendar years of registering as a citizen.
Step-by-Step Passport Application Process
1. Select an Authorized Agent to take care of your application
2. Submit all the required documentation to the Citizenship by Investment Unit
3. The CIU will conduct a background check and approve your application
4. Make your investment
5. Become an Antigua and Barbuda citizen
Now, actually applying for the Antigua and Barbuda passport requires a few extra steps. Once the government authority has approved the citizenship by investment applications, all applicants must submit Proof of Citizenship to a Passport Officer. The applicant must visit the Passport Office to submit the application, with the application form being available online or at the Passport Office.
The applicant must complete an application form and then take it to a certifying official, after which they must show the application with the required documents to the Passport Office.
Note that the Passport Office can ask for extra information to streamline the application process. The entire procedure takes about three weeks. Emergency processing is available, and applicants can get their renewal in three to five working days for an extra charge.
Is it worth applying for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?
There are undeniable advantages to becoming an Antigua and Barbuda citizen. For a very affordable investment, you can get a passport that will give you visa-free access to over 140 countries, citizenship of a stable Caribbean island, and profitable tax benefits.
Antigua and Barbuda is an excellent option for families seeking second citizenship, as this CBI program offers the most affordable option for families of up to four people: making a $100,000 donation to the National Development Fund.
The following family members can be included in your Antigua and Barbuda citizenship application:
- Spouse or future spouse
- Children under the age of 18
- Children aged 18 to 30, if they are supported by the main applicant or spouse
- Dependent children aged 18 or over that are physically/ mentally challenged
- Parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse if aged 55 or above and financially dependent on the main applicant or spouse
- Unmarried siblings of the main applicant or spouse
Frequently Asked Questions About the Antigua and Barbuda Passport
What is the Antigua and Barbuda passport ranking 2023?
The Antigua and Barbuda passport ranks 59th according to the Global Passport Index. Antigua passport holders enjoy visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the Schengen Area countries, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Russia.
How much does an Antigua passport cost?
To acquire an Antigua passport by investment, you’ll need to apply for the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program. You can obtain an Antigua passport in exchange for an investment of at least $100,000, and provided you meet the program’s requirements. The government authority responsible for approving your application is the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CBU).
Do I need to stay in Antigua and Barbuda if I become a citizen?
According to the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program rules, after you receive Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, you must spend a minimum of five days in the country (consecutive or not) within five calendar years of registering as a citizen.
Can my family also apply to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program?
Antigua and Barbuda is one of the most family-friendly Citizenship by Investment countries. Your entire family can apply to the CBI program. It means extended family members, such as dependent siblings, children, parents and grandparents and future spouses are also eligible, and the whole family can become Antigua and Barbuda passport holders.
Do Antiguans need a visa to visit the UK?
No, Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can enter the UK without a visa. They can stay in the UK for up to six months, visa-free.
Do Russians need a visa for Antigua and Barbuda?
No, Russians have visa-free access to Antigua and Barbuda. They can stay in the country for three months.
What are Antigua and Barbuda visa-free countries?
If you are looking for Antigua visa-free countries, here is our list of countries to which Antigua and Barbuda citizens can travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival:
Visa-free:
Albania, Andorra, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belarus, Belgium, Belize, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cuba, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Eswatini, Fiji, Finland, France, Gambia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Kiribati, Kosovo, Latvia, Lesotho, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malawi, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, Nicaragua, North Macedonia, Norway, Palestinian Territories, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, San Marino, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Tanzania, Trindad and Tobago, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vatican City, Venezuela, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Visa-on-arrival:
Angola, Armenia, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Burundi, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Comoros, Dem. Rep. Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Ethiopia, Gabon, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Jordan, Kenya, Laos, Lebanon, Madagascar, Maldives, Mauritania, Mozambique, Nepal, Nigeria, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Sudan, Timor-Leste, Togo, Turkey, Tuvalu.
Do US citizens need a passport for Antigua and Barbuda?
All US citizens are required to show a valid US passport when arriving at Antigua and Barbuda, as well as proof of anticipated departure from the country. This includes travelers arriving by airplane and by private sea-going vessel.
How do I get an Antigua and Barbuda passport?
One of the fastest and simplest ways to obtain a second passport from Antigua and Barbuda is by applying for the country’s investment citizenship program. Investors can receive Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in exchange for investing in the country. They can do that by making a donation to the National Development Fund, purchasing a pre-approved real estate project, establishing a business in the country, or contributing to the University of the West Indies Fund. Once you receive citizenship, you can make your Antigua and Barbuda passport application.
The list of visa-free countries and visa-on-arrival countries for Antigua and Barbuda passport holders has over 140 countries, including the Schengen nations in the European Union, the UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, and Russia.
What is the Antigua and Barbuda passport price?
The price of the Antigua and Barbuda passport starts at $100,000 dollars. This is the minimum investment necessary for a single person to apply for the Citizenship by Investment program of Antigua and Barbuda and be able to receive an Antigua passport. The Antigua and Barbuda passport price depends on what type of investment you choose: it’s also possible to invest a minimum of $200,00 in real estate, make a donation of $150,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund or buy shares of at least $400,00 in a local business.
What does the Antigua and Barbuda passport look like?
 |
Type | Passport |
| Issued by | Antigua and Barbuda | |
| Purpose | Identification | |
| Eligibility | Antiguan and Barbudan nationality law | |
| Expiration | 10 years (5 years for children under 16) |
Is an Antigua passport good?
Yes. Antigua passport holders can travel to over 140 countries without the need for a visa, including the Schengen area, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore.
