Antigua and BarbudaCitizenship by investment

National fund contribution in Antigua and Barbuda

The programme grants citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda in return for a non-repayable contribution to the government National Development Fund. The contribution forms part of the Citizenship by Investment Programme and opens the way to citizenship and a passport of the Caribbean state. The applicant receives the full set of citizens' rights, including the right to work without further permits. The programme is open to the main applicant and their family members.

Source: Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda — Schedule of Fees

Who can take part in the programme

The programme is open to citizens of any country who meet the vetting requirements. There are no particular limits as to education, experience or source of funds, but eligibility checks do apply.

Main applicants

A person aged 18 and over with a steady income or assets
An individual ready to make the required contribution
A person who has passed the eligibility and criminal record checks

Family members

The main applicant's spouse
Dependent children under 30
Parents and grandparents over 55

Restrictions

Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan may face additional requirements
People convicted of serious offences are generally not approved
Every eligibility check must be passed

When the programme will not suit you

The applicant cannot afford a contribution of 230,000 US dollars

Consider the alternative investment routes in Antigua and Barbuda or the programmes of other Caribbean countries

Citizenship is needed quickly, within a few weeks

Check the processing times with the Citizenship by Investment Unit — the process may take several months

The applicant is not prepared to undergo eligibility and police checks

Citizenship by naturalisation programmes require permanent residence in the country for a set period

You need to remain in the country as a resident on a permanent basis

Citizenship carries no obligation of permanent residence; 5 days in the country in every five years is what is needed

What it costs

The main contribution to the National Development FundA non-repayable contribution, not refundable; 10% is paid when the application is filed (non-refundable) and the balance once the letter of approval is received	230 000 USD
Processing fee for a single applicant	10 000 USD
Processing fee for a family of up to 4	20 000 USD
Processing fee for a family of 5 or more with additional dependantsPlus 10,000 dollars for each additional dependant beyond four	20 000 USD
Due diligence for the main applicant	+8 500 USD
Due diligence for the spouse	+5 000 USD
Due diligence for a dependant aged 12–17	+2 000 USD
Due diligence for a dependant aged 18 and over	+4 000 USD
Passport fee per person	+300 USD
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Due diligence for the main applicant” adds 8 500 USD; “Due diligence for the spouse” adds 5 000 USD; “Due diligence for a dependant aged 12–17” adds 2 000 USD; “Due diligence for a dependant aged 18 and over” adds 4 000 USD; “Passport fee per person” adds 300 USD; the “Processing fee for a family of up to 4” branch replaces the “Processing fee for a single applicant” line — 250 000 USD; the “Processing fee for a family of 5 or more with additional dependants” branch replaces the “Processing fee for a single applicant” line — 250 000 USD. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	240,000–259 800 USD

Paid separately

The cost of advice from an authorised representative — Paid separately; not part of the government fees
The cost of documents and certificates (passports, birth certificates, court register extracts and so on) — The applicant bears the cost of preparing the documents
Investment insurance and legal assistance — Paid separately, depending on the representative chosen

Documents to gather

The documents are gathered into a file and submitted through a licensed agent to the Citizenship by Investment Unit. Further documents may be requested or an interview held.

Form AB1 — the main citizenship application
Form AB2 — the photograph and signature certificate
Form AB3 — the medical certificate
Form AB4 — evidence of the investment in the National Development Fund
Form AB5 — the licensed agent's form
A copy of the passport of the main applicant and of every family member
Birth documents (birth certificates) for every family member
A criminal records register extract or its equivalent (police record) for the main applicant
An RCMP Real Time Identification (RTID) certificate for those aged 16 and over who have lived in Canada for 6 months or more
Proof of marital status (marriage or divorce certificates, if applicable)
Documents on the main applicant's income or assets

How the process runs

Obtaining citizenship through a contribution to the National Development Fund requires working with an authorised representative and a licensed agent in Antigua and Barbuda.

1
Contacting an authorised representative
1–2 weeks
The applicant approaches an authorised representative of the programme for information, guidance and an initial consultation on the process.
2
Preparing the set of documents
2–4 weeks
The authorised representative helps to gather every necessary document (forms AB1–AB5, passports, birth certificates, criminal register certificates and others).
3
Passing the documents to a licensed agent
a few days
The prepared file is passed to a licensed agent in Antigua and Barbuda for formal filing with the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
4
Formal filing of the application
1 day
The licensed agent files the complete set of documents with the Citizenship by Investment Unit. On filing, 10% of the government fee is paid (non-refundable).
5
Eligibility checks and consideration
several weeks
The CIU carries out eligibility and criminal record checks on every family member. Further information may be requested or an interview held.
6
Receiving the letter of approval
varies
Once approved, an Approval Letter is issued. The balance of the government fee (90%) and all additional fees (due diligence, passport) are then paid.
7
Receiving the passport and the certificate of registration
1–2 weeks
Once all the fees are paid, the applicant receives the certificate of registration as a citizen and a passport of Antigua and Barbuda.

Timelines and rights

Work

Work permits from the labour department are for non-citizens. The requirement does not apply to a citizen.

Who you can bring with you

The programme allows the main applicant's family members to be included in a single application. Each family member is vetted separately.

The main applicant's spouse

Included with no additional contribution; the due diligence fee is 5,000 US dollars and the passport fee 300 dollars per person.

Dependent children under 30

May be included; the due diligence fee is 2,000 dollars for children aged 12–17 and 4,000 dollars for those aged 18 and over; children aged 0–11 pay no due diligence fee; the passport fee is 300 dollars per person.

The main applicant's parents and grandparents over 55

May be included as dependants; the same due diligence fees apply according to age; the passport fee is 300 dollars per person.

Benefactor (sponsor)

In some cases a sponsor may be included; the due diligence fee is 5,000 US dollars and the passport fee 300 dollars per person.

Trips, renewal and the grace period

After citizenship is granted you must spend at least 5 days in the country over 5 calendar years, otherwise the citizenship may be revoked

A passport of Antigua and Barbuda is issued for five calendar years. To renew it, the applicant (now a citizen) must have spent at least five days in the country during the period of the passport's validity. Where the stay condition is not met, renewal of the passport may be refused. Where the conditions are met, the citizenship remains valid and may be renewed.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The programme has no intermediate permanent residence stage: on approval a certificate of registration as a citizen is issued.

Route to citizenship

Citizenship and a passport of Antigua and Barbuda once the application is approved

Frequently asked questions about National fund contribution

What happens if I have been to Canada? Must I supply an RCMP certificate?

If you lived in Canada for 6 months or more and were aged 16 or over while you lived there, you must supply an RCMP Real Time Identification (RTID) certificate, not a CPIC or a local police certificate.

Can I change my name after receiving the passport?

Under the cabinet decision of December 2014, successful applicants may not change their name by Deed Poll or in any other way when a passport of Antigua and Barbuda is issued.

Which countries face restrictions when applying for citizenship?

Citizens of Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Yemen and Sudan may face additional requirements. They may apply if they migrated before reaching majority or have lived permanently in another country for more than 10 years with no economic ties to those countries.

Is a visa on arrival available to holders of a passport of Antigua and Barbuda?

Yes, holders of a valid US or UK residence permit, Canadian visa or Schengen visa may obtain a 30-day visa waiver (permission to enter) for 100 US dollars on arrival.

Do I need a work permit after citizenship is granted?

No. Once you have citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda you may work without any further permit. The work permit requirement applies only to citizens of other countries.

Other ways to move to Antigua and Barbuda

Every route in one list — migration programmes: Antigua and Barbuda.

The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 7 August 2026.