Antigua and Barbuda is one of five countries in the Caribbean that have a Citizenship by Investment program. In return for investing in a government-approved real estate project, a government-approved local business project, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund, or the Antigua and Barbuda National Development Fund (NDF), you can obtain citizenship and enjoy the benefits of having an Antigua and Barbuda passport. In this article, we examine the National Development Fund in Antigua and Barbuda, including the application process, processing fees, and the benefits of donating to the fund.
Antigua and Barbuda’s National Development Fund, established under Section 42(2) of the Finance Administration Act 2006, is a nonprofit fund set up as part of the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program. As a nonprofit fund, the purpose of the NDF is to help fund government projects, public-private partnerships, and other charitable investments approved by the government. The fund is subject to parliamentary oversight by way of a six-monthly report that enables transparency and accountability.
Under this route of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program, you are required to make a one-time minimum investment of $100,000 into the NDF. By doing so, you – the main applicant – your spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents older than 55 can obtain citizenship.
If you would like to find out more about Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment, check out our comprehensive guide, “The Ultimate Guide by Experts,” available at the link below.
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
The Ultimate Guide by Experts.
Benefits of Donating to the National Development Fund for Citizenship
There are a number of benefits when contributing to the National Development Fund, such as its affordability and how the funds are used to benefit the country:
- Most affordable option for families of five
If your family consists of up to five members, this is the least expensive route to obtain citizenship in the Caribbean. If your family is made up of six or more members, the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund will be the more affordable option for you.
Money from the NDF is used to benefit the country
Money from the NDF is used to benefit the countryThe money that investors contribute to the NDF is used to develop the country’s agriculture, precious metal, service, and tourism sectors. Tourism in the country makes up 60 percent of its GDP, meaning that the majority of the money from the fund goes towards developing this sector. For example, proceeds from the NDF have been used to improve airport facilities to create a more efficient and welcoming environment that promotes tourism.
- Quick processing time
Your application will be processed within three to four months.
- Opportunity for long-term US visa
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda can apply for a ten-year B-1/B-2 visa for the US and visit the country for up to 180 days. The visa can be obtained for business, healthcare, and travel purposes.
Citizenship Cost
As mentioned above, donating to the Antigua and Barbuda NDF is the most affordable route to obtain citizenship. The minimum contribution amount is $100,000, which makes it the most affordable option available across all of the Caribbean citizenship programs.
The table below outlines the costs associated with making a donation to the National Development Fund in Antigua and Barbuda. As you will see, the contribution amount and government processing fees can vary depending on the number of applicants. In addition to the minimum contribution and processing fees, you will need to pay due diligence fees and passport fees.
Number of Applicants | Contribution Amount (US$) | Processing Fees (US$) |
Single investor | $100,000 | $30,000 |
Investor and spouse | $100,000 | $30,000 |
Family of four | $100,000 | $30,000 |
Family of five or more | $125,000 | $30,000 plus $15,000 from the 5th dependent onwards |
Application Process
1. Discussion and proposal
2. Start onboarding
3. Application review
4. Due diligence
5. Application submission
6. Approval
7. Payment
8. Receive your passport
It is important to note that, by law, applicants are required to work with a local authorized agent licensed to market and promote the Citizenship by Investment Program by the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment Unit (CIU). Global Citizen Solutions is a licensed agent authorized by Antigua and Barbuda’s CIU.
1. Discussion with our success team and obtain proposal: Obtain a proposal detailing all fees associated with your specific National Development Fund application.
2. Start onboarding: Prepare and collect your application form and necessary supporting documents for your application. Notarize and certify documents as necessary.
3. Application review: Our team will perform a complete review of your citizenship application to ensure everything is in order.
4. Due diligence: Submit your completed application form and other essential documents. Following this, a due diligence check by the Antigua and Barbuda government will be carried out.
5. Application submission: Submit your application to the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). You will also need to pay the submission fees.
6. Approval: It generally takes about three months from the date of submission for your citizenship application to be approved by the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
7. Payment: You will be issued a final invoice detailing the remainder of the fees you are required to pay. This will include your investment payment, as well as the remainder of the government fees. Your passport and Certificate of Registration (COR) will be issued within one month of you making your investment payment.
8. Receive your passport: Your passports and COR will be issued. You must take the oath or affirmation of allegiance upon your first visit to the country.
As you can see, the entire application process is quite straightforward and generally takes between 90 and 120 days.
National Development Fund (NDF): Popular Amongst Investors
The National Development Fund is a popular option among investors. In fact, although the CIU did not publish detailed data from 2020-2022, the department has confirmed that the number of investors choosing this option has steadily increased to over 80 percent from 2016 to 2022.
Year | Non-refundable State Fund Contribution | Real Estate and Business Investments |
2015 | 71 percent | 29 percent |
2016 | 71 percent | 29 percent |
2017 | 46 percent | 54 percent |
2018 | 94 percent | 6 percent |
2019 | 96 percent | 4 percent |
Antigua and Barbuda: Investment Immigration
- Visa-free travel to over 140 countries
- No restrictions on dual (or multiple) nationality
- A stable democracy with well-established legal and regulatory processes
- Excellent health and education systems
- No income, inheritance, or capital gains tax
Additionally, the cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda is quite affordable. In fact, it is about 20 percent cheaper than in the UK and the US. For example, the monthly costs for a family of four – not including rent – amount to around $4,080, and the average cost of rent each month for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center is around $1,850.
The cost of living in Antigua and Barbuda
If you’re wondering where to settle on this tranquil island, fear not. We have a useful article looking at the best towns for living in Antigua and Barbuda, from the capital of St John’s to Jolly Harbour, the largest man-made marina in the Caribbean. Whether you’re looking to rent a property or make a real estate investment, the island offers a variety of options that cater to different needs.
Best Towns for Living in Antigua and Barbuda
Why use Global Citizen Solutions?
Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.
- Authorized International Marketing Agent. Global Citizen Solutions have official certification by the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to promote and market their Citizenship by Investment program. You can find a copy of our certificate by clicking the image on the right
- Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
- 100 percent approval rate. We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge, due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
- Independent service and full transparency. We will present to you all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance, with no hidden fees.
- An all-encompassing solution. A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family's mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
- Confidential service and secure data management. All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the National Development Fund
What is Antigua and Barbuda's National Development Fund?
Antigua and Barbuda’s National Development Fund, established under Section 42(2) of the Finance Administration Act 2006, is a nonprofit fund set up as part of the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program. The fund is subject to parliamentary oversight by way of a six-monthly report that enables transparency and accountability. As a nonprofit fund, it is used to support government projects, public-private partnerships, and other charitable investments approved by the government.
Under the National Development Fund route, the primary applicant must make a one-time minimum investment of $100,000 into the NDF. In addition, you will need to pay processing fees, due diligence fees, and passport fees. As the primary applicant, you can also include your spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents older than 55 in your application.
What is the cheapest investment route for the Antigua and Barbuda passport program?
The cheapest route under Antigua and Barbuda’s CBI program is donating to the National Development Fund, particularly if you are a family with dependent children or dependent parents. The minimum requirement is a one-time investment of $100,000. You may also encounter costs such as government processing fees, due diligence fees, and passport fees.
