St. Kitts & NevisCitizenship
- Min. investment
- $250,000+
- Time to approval
- 4–6 months
Citizenship by Investment
Antigua & Barbuda
One of the most cost-effective Caribbean citizenship routes for larger families, with three qualifying investment options.
Time to citizenship
3–6 months
Minimum investment
$230,000+
Travel-access score
142 destinations
Figures as of August 2026, per the official program source — confirmed on application.
Program Overview
About the Antigua & Barbuda program
In brief
The Antigua & Barbuda program is a citizenship-by-investment program that grants full legal citizenship. The minimum qualifying investment is $230,000+, and approvals typically take 3–6 months. Presence requirement: 5 days in Antigua & Barbuda within the first 5 years, and the passport scores 142 on our travel-access count — destinations reachable visa-free, on arrival, or with an eTA or e-visa granted on arrival terms. Figures are indicative minimums for the main applicant.
Antigua and Barbuda's Citizenship by Investment Program is particularly attractive to larger families, offering a dedicated University of the West Indies Fund route and pricing that remains competitive as family size grows.
Citizens enjoy extensive visa-free travel; the program's only ongoing obligation is a five-day visit within the first five years.
Presence requirement
5 days in Antigua & Barbuda within the first 5 years
Document validity
Passport valid for 5 years initially, then renewable for 10
Dual nationality
Dual citizenship permitted
How it compares
Antigua & Barbuda against other citizenship programs
Where Antigua & Barbuda sits among the 9 citizenship by investment programs we advise on. The gold marker is the peer average.
Minimum investment (lower is better)$230,000
Peer average $228kAt the peer average
Time to approval (lower is better)3–6 months
Peer average ≈ 6 monthsAbove the peer average
Travel-access score (higher is better)142
Peer average 114Above the peer average
Investment is compared on a USD-normalized basis; the label shows this program's own currency. Time uses the upper end of the published range. Figures are indicative.
What Antigua & Barbuda citizenship unlocks
Registration under the 2013 Act, with the industry's broadest family definition. What it changes from day one:
Capabilities follow from the status itself — citizenship or residence as the program grants it; specifics are confirmed during your assessment.
The Life It Unlocks
Built for families who count heads before dollars.
Six passports, one sensible number
Antigua's pricing barely moves as your family grows — the program large families choose because the per-person math finally works.
The map opens together
Schengen under the 90/180 rule, the UK, and a long list beyond — school holidays stop being a visa-planning exercise.
Five days you'll actually want
The one obligation is five days in Antigua & Barbuda within five years. Most families call that obligation a holiday.
Investment Pathways
National Development Fund
From $230,000
A non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund, supporting public projects.
Approved Real Estate
From $300,000
Investment in a government-approved real estate development.
Minimum 5-year holding period
University of the West Indies Fund
From $260,000
A contribution route designed for larger families of six or more, supporting the University of the West Indies. Processing fees are included within the qualifying contribution.
Approved Business Investment
From $1,500,000
Participation in an approved Antiguan business — USD 1.5M as a sole investor, or a joint business investment from USD 5M total with a minimum of USD 400,000 per participant.
Program terms move: Caribbean minimum contributions rose industry-wide in 2024, and issuing governments adjust terms without notice. Files submitted under current terms are processed under them.
Explore your route
From (indicative)
$230,000
A non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund, supporting public projects.
Who comes with you
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Financially dependent children up to 30, and qualifying children with physical or mental disabilities
- Financially dependent parents or grandparents aged 55 and over
- Unmarried siblings of the main applicant or spouse
Family additions are quoted individually — request your exact figure
Application Timeline
Government processing time
The Antigua & Barbuda authorities publish a processing time for complete files — the numbered stages below show where those months go. Here is the figure to plan around.
3–6 months
Official processing time, complete files
Plan around the top of the range — 6 months end to end leaves room for queries without changing your plans.
Your dates
Complete files are typically processed in 3–6 months.
Based on the officially published range — last re-verified August 2026. Government timelines are not guaranteed.
- 1
Month 1
Preparation
Document collection, KYC checks, and selection of the investment route.
- 2
Months 1–3
Submission & due diligence
Application submitted to the Citizenship by Investment Unit; background checks conducted.
- 3
Months 3–5
Approval & investment
Approval in principle issued (most files close in four to five months); the qualifying investment is completed.
- 4
Months 5–6
Citizenship & passport
Certificate of citizenship issued, followed by passport processing.
Requirements
- Main applicant must be 18 or older with a clean criminal record
- Proof of the legal source of investment funds
- Medical certificate for all applicants
- Five days of physical presence within the first five years of citizenship
Family Eligibility
- Spouse of the main applicant
- Financially dependent children up to 30, and qualifying children with physical or mental disabilities
- Financially dependent parents or grandparents aged 55 and over
- Unmarried siblings of the main applicant or spouse
Required documents
The standard checklist for a single applicant. Add your family in the Grenada cost calculator and this list adapts to everyone applying with you.
Forms AB1–AB5Every applicantAB1 and AB2 per applicant, AB3 medical completed by a doctor — AB4 investment confirmation and AB5 agent appointment by the main applicant.
Passport & national IDEvery applicantCertified colour copies of passports and any national IDs held.
Birth certificateEvery applicantCertified colour copy showing parents' details.
Marriage or divorce papersIf marriedCertified copies, where applicable.
Police clearanceAdult applicantsOfficially for ages 18+, covering every country lived in six consecutive months since turning 18; agents commonly prepare certificates from age 16.
Medical & HIV testEvery applicantForm AB3 with original HIV results no older than three months, for every applicant.
Address, funds & referencesMain applicantProof of address, source-of-funds file, bank reference, plus one personal and one professional reference.
Dependant support & enrolmentDependantsAffidavit of support for dependants 18+; university enrolment confirmation for students 18–30.
Exact formats — apostille or legalization, sworn translation, issue dates — vary by your country of origin and are confirmed document-by-document during your engagement.
What to Weigh
Honest advice includes the trade-offs. Before committing to the Antigua & Barbuda program, consider:
- The five-day visit within five years is a genuine legal obligation — plan for at least one family trip.
- The UWI Fund route only makes financial sense for families of six or more.
- Contribution routes are non-refundable; real estate requires a five-year hold.
Does Antigua & Barbuda fit you?
Three questions, scored by the same engine as our Program Finder — with an honest answer, even when it isn't this program.
What are you ultimately looking for?
What investment level are you comfortable with?
How soon do you want this in hand?
Travel access with Antigua & Barbuda citizenship
Where a Antigua & Barbuda citizen can travel, and what each destination requires. Entry is always at the discretion of the destination authority — confirm before booking.
142travel-access score, our count — 99 visa-free + 28 on arrival + 5 eTA + e-visas granted on arrival terms
127 of 198 destinations need no visa arranged before travel. Passport Index formula; ranked #24 worldwide by score · #60 of 199 individually.
198 destinations shown
 Albania | Visa-free | 90 days |
|---|---|---|
 Andorra | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Angola | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Austria | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Bahamas | Visa-free | 240 days |
 Barbados | Visa-free | — |
 Belarus | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Belgium | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Belize | Visa-free | — |
 Bosnia & Herzegovina | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Botswana | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Brazil | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Bulgaria | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Chile | Visa-free | 90 days |
 China | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Colombia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Costa Rica | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Croatia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Cuba | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Cyprus | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Czechia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Denmark | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Dominica | Visa-free | — |
 Dominican Republic | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Ecuador | Visa-free | 90 days |
 El Salvador | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Estonia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Eswatini | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Fiji | Visa-free | 120 days |
 Finland | Visa-free | 90 days |
 France | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Gambia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Georgia | Visa-free | 360 days |
 Germany | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Greece | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Grenada | Visa-free | — |
 Guatemala | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Guyana | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Haiti | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Honduras | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Hong Kong SAR China | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Hungary | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Iceland | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Ireland | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Italy | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Jamaica | Visa-free | — |
 Kiribati | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Kosovo | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Latvia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Lesotho | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Liechtenstein | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Lithuania | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Luxembourg | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Malawi | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Malaysia | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Malta | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Mauritius | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Micronesia | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Moldova | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Monaco | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Montenegro | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Netherlands | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Nicaragua | Visa-free | 90 days |
 North Macedonia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Norway | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Palestinian Territories | Visa-free | — |
 Panama | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Peru | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Philippines | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Poland | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Portugal | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Romania | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Russia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Rwanda | Visa-free | 30 days |
 San Marino | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Serbia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Seychelles | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Singapore | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Slovakia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Slovenia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 South Africa | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Spain | Visa-free | 90 days |
| St. Kitts & Nevis | Visa-free | — |
 St. Lucia | Visa-free | — |
 St. Vincent & Grenadines | Visa-free | — |
 Suriname | Visa-free | 180 days |
 Sweden | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Switzerland | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Tanzania | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Trinidad & Tobago | Visa-free | — |
 Tunisia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Uganda | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Ukraine | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Uzbekistan | Visa-free | 30 days |
 Vanuatu | Visa-free | 120 days |
 Vatican City | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Venezuela | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Zambia | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Zimbabwe | Visa-free | 90 days |
 Armenia | Visa on arrival | 120 days |
 Bangladesh | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Burundi | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Cambodia | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Cape Verde | Visa on arrival | — |
 Comoros | Visa on arrival | 45 days |
 Djibouti | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
 Egypt | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Guinea-Bissau | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
 Iran | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Jordan | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Laos | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Lebanon | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Macao SAR China | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Madagascar | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
 Maldives | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Mozambique | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Namibia | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
 Nepal | Visa on arrival | 150 days |
 Palau | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Qatar | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Samoa | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
 Sierra Leone | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Solomon Islands | Visa on arrival | 45 days |
 Sri Lanka | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Timor-Leste | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Türkiye | Visa on arrival | 90 days |
 Tuvalu | Visa on arrival | 30 days |
 Côte d’Ivoire | Electronic travel authorisation | 90 days |
 Kenya | Electronic travel authorisation | 90 days |
 Papua New Guinea | Electronic travel authorisation | 30 days |
 South Korea | Electronic travel authorisation | 90 days |
 United Kingdom | Electronic travel authorisation | 180 days |
 Australia | eVisa | — |
 Bahrain | eVisa | — |
 Benin | eVisa | — |
 Bhutan | eVisa | — |
 Bolivia | eVisa | — |
 Burkina Faso | eVisa | — |
 Cameroon | eVisa | — |
 Chad | eVisa | — |
 Congo - Kinshasa | eVisa | 7 days |
 Equatorial Guinea | eVisa | — |
 Ethiopia | eVisa | 90 days |
 Gabon | eVisa | 90 days |
 Guinea | eVisa | 90 days |
 India | eVisa | 30 days |
 Indonesia | eVisa | — |
 Iraq | eVisa | — |
 Israel | eVisa | — |
 Kazakhstan | eVisa | — |
 Kyrgyzstan | eVisa | — |
 Liberia | eVisa | — |
 Libya | eVisa | — |
 Mauritania | eVisa | 90 days |
 Mongolia | eVisa | — |
 Nigeria | eVisa | 90 days |
 Oman | eVisa | — |
 Pakistan | eVisa | — |
 São Tomé & Príncipe | eVisa | — |
 Saudi Arabia | eVisa | — |
 Somalia | eVisa | — |
 South Sudan | eVisa | 90 days |
 Syria | eVisa | — |
 Tajikistan | eVisa | — |
 Thailand | eVisa | — |
 Togo | eVisa | 15 days |
 United Arab Emirates | eVisa | — |
 Vietnam | eVisa | 90 days |
 Afghanistan | Visa required | — |
 Algeria | Visa required | — |
 Argentina | Visa required | — |
 Azerbaijan | Visa required | — |
 Brunei | Visa required | — |
 Canada | Visa required | — |
 Central African Republic | Visa required | — |
 Congo - Brazzaville | Visa required | — |
 Eritrea | Visa required | — |
 Ghana | Visa required | — |
 Japan | Visa required | — |
 Kuwait | Visa required | — |
 Mali | Visa required | — |
 Marshall Islands | Visa required | — |
 Mexico | Visa required | — |
 Morocco | Visa required | — |
 Myanmar (Burma) | Visa required | — |
 Nauru | Visa required | — |
 New Zealand | Visa required | — |
 Niger | Visa required | — |
 North Korea | Visa required | — |
 Paraguay | Visa required | — |
 Senegal | Visa required | — |
 Sudan | Visa required | — |
 Taiwan | Visa required | — |
 Tonga | Visa required | — |
 Turkmenistan | Visa required | — |
 United States | Visa required | — |
 Uruguay | Visa required | — |
 Yemen | Visa required | — |
Last updated 3 August 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Antigua best for larger families?
Its contribution pricing is close to flat as family size grows, and the UWI Fund route is designed specifically for families of six or more — making the per-person cost among the lowest anywhere.
What happens if we skip the 5-day visit?
The visit is a condition of the citizenship — failing to complete it within five years puts renewal of your passport at risk. We track the obligation for clients and help plan the trip.
Can parents be included?
Yes, dependent parents aged 55 or over can be included in the application.
What travel access does the Antigua & Barbuda passport provide?
Citizens currently travel visa-free or visa-on-arrival to a broad list of destinations, including the Schengen Area under the 90/180-day rule and the UK. Travel arrangements between states are reviewed periodically, so we brief clients on the current position rather than treating any list as permanent.
Regulatory framework
Act No. 2 of 2013
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act, 2013
Assented 28 March 2013 · gazetted 11 April 2013
Section 3 — registration of investors as citizens with Cabinet approval; Regulations as amended through 2024
Section 3 empowers the Minister, with Cabinet approval, to register a qualifying investor as a citizen under the Citizenship Act once satisfied the prescribed investment has been made. One statutory obligation stands out: registered citizens must spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda within five years of registration (a pending 2026 amendment would raise this to thirty), on pain of deprivation.
View the lawOfficial Citizenship by Investment Unit — cip.gov.ag
Sources & verification
Program terms are set by the issuing government and may change without notice — figures last re-verified against the official source in August 2026. Investment figures are indicative minimums for the main applicant; fees, due diligence, and family additions are quoted individually. Government timelines are not guaranteed.
Official program authority
- 01Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment UnitRetrieved 2026-07-28
Alternatives
Related Programs
Families often weigh this program against these alternatives.
Is Antigua & Barbuda right for your family?
A private assessment covers eligibility, total cost, and timeline for your situation — and says so if another route fits better.
Antigua & Barbuda · 3–6 months