Antigua and Barbuda – Citizenship by Investment

Country Overview

Lying in the Eastern Caribbean’s Leeward Islands, the English-speaking, two-island state of Antigua and Barbuda is a favoured tourist destination affectionately referred to as the “Land of 365 Beaches”.

Antigua and Barbuda enjoy a pleasant year-round climate, with average air temperatures ranging between 25°C and 28°C (77°F to 82°F) and sea temperatures reaching 29°C (84°F). These lush tropical islands are stunningly beautiful locales, and tourism is the dominant source of income, generating about 60% of the islands’ GDP.

Having gained independence from Britain in 1981, Antigua and Barbuda has developed a reputation for judicial and governmental stability. Citizenship offers long-term security, access to a stable legal system, and the privileges associated with citizenship of a CARICOM country.

Requirements/Investment Options

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship-by-Investment Programme requires a significant financial investment into the country in return for citizenship for you and your family.

To qualify for citizenship, you must be over 18 years of age, meet the due diligence requirements, and commit to spending at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first five years of obtaining citizenship.

Applicants may select one of the following investment options:

  • Make a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) starting from USD $230,000, plus applicable processing fees.
  • Purchase qualifying real estate with a minimum value of USD $300,000 in a government-approved development project.
  • Make a direct investment of at least USD $1,500,000 into an approved business as a sole investor.
  • Make a non-refundable contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund of USD $260,000 (available to qualifying families)

Donation – National Development Fund (NDF)

The National Development Fund (NDF) is a non-profit fund established under Section 42(2) of the Financial Administration Act of 2006 to finance government-sponsored projects, including public-private partnerships and approved charitable initiatives.

  • Contribution amount: USD $230,000
  • Processing fee:
    • USD $10,000 for a single applicant
    • USD $20,000 for a family of up to four persons

You may include your spouse and financially dependent children up to the age of 30. Parents and grandparents aged 55 or over who are financially dependent on the main applicant may also be included, as well as unmarried siblings.

Real Estate Investment

Applicants may also acquire real estate with a minimum investment value of USD $300,000 in an approved development project. The property must be held for at least five years.

While not mandatory, we strongly recommend visiting Antigua and Barbuda prior to purchase. Our team can arrange property tours and provide insight into the real estate market. Property ownership may also facilitate opening a local bank account.

University of the West Indies Fund Options

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund is available to qualifying families and requires a non-refundable contribution of USD $260,000.

  • An additional USD $10,000 fee applies for each dependent beyond the primary applicant.

This option supports regional education while providing an alternative route to citizenship.

Qualifying Dependants

As the main applicant, you may include the following dependants in your application:

  • Your spouse
  • Children up to 30 years of age who are financially dependent
  • Children of any age who are mentally or physically challenged
  • Parents and grandparents aged 55 or older who are financially dependent
  • Unmarried siblings

All dependants must meet the programme’s eligibility, medical, and due diligence requirements.

Other Requirements

In addition to fulfilling one of the qualifying investment options, all applicants and dependants must demonstrate clean personal backgrounds.

The Citizenship-by-Investment Unit (CIU) is the government authority responsible for processing applications and conducting comprehensive due diligence checks.

Process Overview

The application process typically takes four to six months, from submission of the complete application to issuance of citizenship documentation.

Taxation

Antigua and Barbuda imposes:

  • No personal income tax
  • No capital gains tax
  • No inheritance tax
  • No tax on foreign-sourced income

Holding Antiguan and Barbudan citizenship alone does not make an individual a tax resident.

The corporate tax rate is 25%, although qualifying companies may benefit from tax incentives and reductions for periods of up to 20 years. A standard sales tax of 15% applies to local consumption.

Summary of Key Advantages

A stable legal system and CARICOM citizenship privileges

Full citizenship for the main applicant and eligible family members

No personal income, capital gains, inheritance tax, or tax on foreign income

Minimal physical presence requirement

An exceptional Caribbean lifestyle with pristine beaches and a year-round temperate climate

Application Process

Month 1

Initial due diligence. Following the successful screening, we will provide you with a Client Agreement (CA) to review and sign.

Upon receiving the signed agreement and retainer payment, our legal team will complete all necessary government forms and supporting documents.

If you make a property investment, you will need to execute a sales and purchase agreement with the developer. We will liaise with the property developer and the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) on your behalf.

Month 2-4

Before submitting your documents, we comprehensively review your application to ensure your file complies with the CIU’s requirements.

Our legal team will complete its final checks before submitting the relevant forms.

The CIU will undertake its own due diligence and reviews all the paperwork.

We will continue to work closely with them throughout the process to ensure your application is timely and efficiently processed.

Month 4-6

The CIU will assess your application, and upon approval, you must make all necessary contributions and pay any applicable government fees.

After completion of final relevant payments, the CIU will send out Certificates of Naturalization followed by your passports.