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 Fund (UWI), 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 economic citizenship 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 Antigua and Barbuda’s 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. And every penny is accounted for by an internationally reputed accounting organization.
- Quick processing time
Your application will be processed within three to four months.
- Opportunity for long-term US visa
Citizens of Antigua 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 Antigua and Barbuda investment authority requires a minimum contribution amount of $100,000, which makes it the most affordable option available across all of the Caribbean citizenship programs.
The table below outlines the costs associated with making a donation to the National Development Fund in Antigua. As you will see, the contribution amount and government processing fees can vary depending on the number of applicants. In addition to the minimum contribution and processing fees, you will need to pay due diligence fees and passport fees.
Number of Applicants | Contribution Amount (US$) | 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 Antigua and Barbuda’s 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 Antigua and Barbuda’s 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: Besides the contribution to the National Development Fund, 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 investment applicants can expect applications to be processed within 90 and 120 days.
Calculate the cost of citizenship for you and your family, including all associated fees.
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 the contribution to the National Development Fund route 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
Antigua is known for its sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, warm climate, and welcoming population. What’s even more attractive about relocating to Antigua are the benefits that come along with Caribbean citizenship. For example, Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can benefit from:
- Travel to over 140 Antigua visa free 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 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, make a residential real estate investment, or make a business investment in commercial property, the island offers a variety of options that cater to different needs.
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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 non-profit fund set up as part of the country’s Citizenship by Investment Program to fund funding government-sponsored projects.
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 apply for family members, including 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.
Besides the contribution to the National Development Fund, the application process includes government processing fees, due diligence fees, passport fees, and a fee to have your application submitted by a local authorized agent licensed by Antigua’s citizenship by investment unit, which maintain parliamentary oversight of the program. The total government processing fee is about $40,000 for the primary applicant and $19,000 to to $25,000 for eligible dependents, including dependent children and dependent parents.
