Antigua and Barbuda at a glance
WHAT YOU OBTAIN
Citizenship by registration
Approved applicants are registered as citizens directly, with no residence stage first, and then receive a passport.
WHO IT SUITS
Families seeking a Caribbean base
A second citizenship for travel and family inclusion, shared by several generations in one application.
BASIC OUTLAY
From US$230,000
National Development Fund contribution: US$230,000, the same for one applicant or a family. Government and due diligence fees are separate.
FAMILY
Spouse, children and parents
Spouse, children up to 30 and parents or grandparents aged 55 or over can join the main applicant, who is 18 or over.
STATUS NOTICE
Written notice within three months
The Unit sends written notice of the application status within three months. An interview may be required during the review.
MAIN STAGES
Approval in 6–8 months
Preparation, submission, decision, payment after approval, then oath, certificate and passport. Approval typically takes 6–8 months.
WHY FAMILIES CHOOSE ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA
Four investment options
The national fund, approved property from US$300,000, the UWI fund for families of six or more, or a business investment.
Personal income tax abolished
Antigua and Barbuda abolished personal income tax in 2016.
Free movement in the OECS
The OECS Economic Union treaty provides freedom of movement for citizens within the union.
Application eligibility
| Applicant / family | Age and conditions |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | At least 18; Good character, lawful funds and completion of the qualifying investment and due diligence |
| Spouse | Age not specified; Provide a valid marriage certificate |
| Child up to 30 | Up to 30; Biological or legally adopted; financially dependent; Age at application |
| Adult child with a disability | At least 18; Must be supported by the applicant; provide evidence of disability and care needs; Age at application |
| Parents of either spouse | At least 55; Must be financially dependent on the applicant; Age at application |
| Grandparents of either spouse | At least 55; Financially dependent; Age at application |
| Unmarried sibling of either spouse | Age not specified; Must be unmarried; the published family page does not specify a minimum age |
| Adding family later | Future spouses and children can apply separately. Adding the spouse of a dependent child requires that child to be no older than 35 when submitted |
| Nationality restrictions | The published restricted list names Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Russian and Belarusian applications require written confirmation of current acceptance before filing |
| Residence conditions and exceptions | For the six listed countries: migration before adulthood and/or permanent residence for at least ten years in a non-restricted country, with no economic ties to restricted countries |
| Sanctions and background checks | Criminal investigations, national security risks and individual sanctions require separate review |
The family budget
INVESTMENT OPTIONS
THREE HOUSEHOLDS
Four people: main applicant, spouse and two children under 12.
OPTION DETAILS
Government fees and family additions
GOVERNMENT FEES
DUE DILIGENCE
ADDITIONS AFTER APPROVAL
AMOUNTS CONFIRMED AT FILING
Process and payment schedule
Payment in two stages: with the application, then after approval.
| Stage | You prepare | Payment | You obtain |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01Prepare | Application forms, police certificates, source-of-wealth evidence and a bank reference. | — | A complete file |
| 02SubmitPayment | File the application with the Citizenship by Investment Unit. | Due diligence fees and part of the government fee | Application under review |
| 03Review and interview | Answer questions and supply further evidence. An interview may be required. | — | Written notice within three months |
| 04Payment after approvalPayment | Follow the payment instruction in the approval notice. | Balance, passport fees and contribution, within 30 days | Proof of payment |
| 05Oath, certificate and passport | Take the oath at the first visit or at an Antigua and Barbuda diplomatic office. | — | Registration as a citizen, then the passport |
The documents to prepare
Prepare the documents below for the applicant and accompanying family. See the programme requirements that follow for forms, age thresholds and document validity.
Identity and forms
- Valid passports; include the pages and certification requested for the application.
- Birth certificate.
- Marriage certificate, where applicable; marital history is checked separately from accompanying family members.
- Application photographs; follow the programme specifications and any separate biometric arrangements.
- The programme application forms for each applicant.
Background, health and address
- Police certificate from the country of birth, where applicable.
- Police certificates from countries of residence, where required; age and residence-history thresholds follow the programme checklist.
- Police certificates from the nationality used to apply and other citizenships, where required by the programme.
- Medical certificate and required test results.
- Proof of the current residential address.
Funds and family evidence
- Evidence of the lawful source of wealth and investment funds.
- Bank reference and bank statements, as specified in the application checklist.
- Relationship and support evidence for each dependant, where applicable.
- Divorce, adoption, custody or name-change records, where applicable.
- Translations, notarisation and legalisation, as required for the document, issuing jurisdiction and programme.
Keep copies of the forms and supporting documents you submit. Additional evidence may be requested during the review.
Programme document requirements
Order original evidence early. Confirm certification, validity dates and English translations before each document is issued.
Personal and family records
- Passports
- Birth and marriage records
- Photographs
- Police certificates, applicants aged 18 and over: each country lived in for at least six consecutive months since age 18.
- Medical certificate (form AB3)
Forms and bank reference
- Application form AB1
- Bank reference letter
- Property documents, for the approved property option
- Business documents, for the business option
Wealth and certification
- Evidence of the source of wealth
- Bank statements showing the source of funds
- Certification of documents, such as an apostille
- English translations of documents in other languages
Keep a copy of every form and declaration you sign, so that later answers stay consistent.
What citizenship gives you
TRAVEL AND REGIONAL RIGHTS
China
- Visa-free, up to 30 days per stay
OECS union
- Freedom of movement
- Freedom of establishment
IN THE OECS
Free movement across the union
The OECS Economic Union treaty provides freedom of movement and establishment for citizens within the union.
TAX
Personal income tax abolished in 2016
Antigua and Barbuda abolished personal income tax in 2016.
NATIONALITY
Citizenship by registration
Approved applicants are registered as citizens directly, with no residence period first. Passports are valid for five years.
FAMILY
One application for the family
Spouse, children up to 30 and parents or grandparents aged 55 or over can join one application. Eligible dependants can be added after approval.
Your path to citizenship
Approval and payment, citizenship registration and oath, then the passport.
- ApprovalWritten notice of the decision
- PaymentPaymentNDF option: within 30 days of approval
- RegistrationCitizenship by registration
- OathAt the first visit or at a diplomatic office
- PassportValid for five years
Direct registration
After approval and payment, applicants are registered as citizens directly, with no residence period first.
The oath of allegiance
The oath can be taken at the first visit, or at an Antigua and Barbuda embassy, high commission or consular office.
After citizenship
Spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda in the first five calendar years after citizenship. Eligible dependants may be added later.
Speak with your adviser
Request a family eligibility review and a comparison of the national fund, UWI fund and property budgets.
HOW TO APPLY
Assessment
We review your family, aims and eligibility, and say plainly whether the programme fits.
Written proposal
You receive an itemised quotation, a document list and a timetable in writing.
Engagement and filing
Once engaged, we prepare the file, submit it and follow it through to the decision.
BRANDS
Identity planning and second-citizenship advisory
