Investment Options

To qualify for citizenship, the primary applicant must be over 18 years of age, meet the application requirements and select one of the following three investment options:

  1. USD$230,000 donation to National Development Fund (NDF) 
  2. USD$300,000 Investment in Real Estate 
  3. USD$1.5 million on a single-applicant Business Investment or US$5,000,000 on a business investment with 2 or more persons
  4. US$260,000 donation to the University of the West Indies Fund for a family of 6 or more

Processing Fees applicable for points 1 to 3 above:

  • For a single applicant: US$10,000
  • For a family of 4: US$20,000
  • For a family of 5 or more: US$20,000 plus US$10,000 for each additional dependent

Processing Fees for University of West Indies Fund:

  • For a family of 6: US$260,000 contribution (inclusive of processing fees)
  • Family of 7 or more: US$260,000 Contribution inclusive for 6 persons plus US$10,000 for each additional dependent

 

National Development Fund (NDF)

The National Development Fund (NDF) is a non-profit fund established under Section 42(2) of the Finance Administration Act 2006 for the purpose of funding government-sponsored projects, including public-private partnerships and approved charitable investments. The NDF operates under parliamentary oversight, with detailed six-monthly reports presented to Parliament to ensure transparency and accountability. The fund is also audited by an internationally recognized accounting firm.

Citizenship through NDF Investment
Acquiring citizenship under the NDF investment option requires a one-time contribution of a minimum of US$230,000 per application. The contribution is paid directly to the National Development Fund.

The primary applicant may include their spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents over 55 years of age within the application without additional contributions to the NDF. However, government processing fees and due diligence fees will apply per individual, as outlined in the fees section.

Application Process

  1. Initial Submission:

    • Obtain application forms from a licensed authorized agent of the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU).
    • Submit your application along with the full due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fees.

  2. Approval and Payment:

    • Upon receiving a letter of approval, pay the balance of the government processing fees, passport fees, and your contribution to the Government Special Fund. Payments must be completed within 30 days.

  3. Issuance of Citizenship Certificate:

    • Once payment is received, a Certificate of Registration of Citizenship will be issued for the primary applicant and dependents.
    • Submit the certificate to the passport office with the passport application and accompanying documentation.
    • Your authorized agent/representative will forward your passports and Citizenship Certificate to you.

Taking the Oath of Allegiance
To finalize the process, applicants must take the oath or affirmation of allegiance, which can be done:

  • During their first visit to Antigua and Barbuda, or
  • At an Embassy, High Commission, or Consular Office of Antigua and Barbuda.

Eligibility Restrictions
Applicants and their dependents are ineligible if they:

  • Have not received a free pardon or have previously been convicted of an offense with a maximum custodial penalty exceeding six months.
  • Have been denied a visa to a country with which Antigua and Barbuda has a visa-free travel arrangement and have not subsequently obtained a visa to that country.
  • Are deemed a potential national security risk, reputational risk, or are subject to criminal investigation.

 

Investment in Real Estate Option

Applicants wishing to qualify for citizenship under the real estate option may choose to purchase property valued at a minimum of US$300,000.

Processing Fees

  • Single applicant or family of 4 or less: US$10,000
  • Family of 4: US$20,000
  • Family of 5 or more: US$20,000 + US$10,000 for each additional dependent

Beneficial Ownership

Beneficial ownership of real estate is permissible through a non-profit company provided that:

  1. The company has issued all of its authorized shares to the applicant(s).
  2. The company is established and in good standing under the laws of Antigua and Barbuda.
  3. The company is not an exempt or offshore entity.
  4. Irrefutable evidence of beneficial ownership is submitted, certified by the Registrar of Companies.

Application Process

The application procedure under this option involves the purchase of real estate, which may lengthen processing times depending on the chosen property. The real estate cannot be resold until five years after the purchase, unless the buyer purchases an alternative officially approved real estate property in Antigua and Barbuda.

  1. Initial Submission:

    • A binding purchase and sale agreement must be signed with the developer of an approved project.
    • Submit the application to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) along with the due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fee.

  2. Approval and Payment:

    • Upon receiving a letter of approval, pay the balance of the government processing fee and all sums due to the developer under the sale and purchase agreement.
    • This enables the title to be registered in your name and the real estate investment to be implemented per CIU guidelines.

  3. Issuance of Citizenship Certificate:

    • A Certificate of Registration will be issued for the primary applicant and dependents. This document must be submitted to the passport office with the passport application and any supporting documents.

Oath of Allegiance and Passport Collection

Applicants can complete the final steps by:

  1. Visiting Antigua and Barbuda to collect their passport and take the oath or affirmation of allegiance.
  2. Visiting an Embassy, High Commission, or Consular Office of Antigua and Barbuda for the same purpose. [View the list of Embassies/High Commissions/Consular Offices here].

Approved Real Estate Projects

Applicants can choose from a list of approved real estate projects under the Citizenship by Investment Program. [View the list of Approved Development Projects here].

Approved Areas

The list are approved areas for investment are:

Antigua

  • Fort James to Blue Waters
  • Pillar Rock to Five Islands
  • Pearns Point to Johnson’s Point
  • Falmouth Harbour to Galleon Bay
  • Willoughby Bay to Half Moon Bay
  • Nonsuch bay area
  • Guiana Island and its environs to Crabbs Peninsula to Indian Point
  • Blackman’s Estate (Blackman’s Point)
  • Marble Hill

Barbuda

  • Low Bay to Palmetto Point and Coco Point
  • Coco Point

Approved Areas (Map)

Click here for the map and list of approved Real Estate Areas

 

Business Investment Option

The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) makes recommendations to the Cabinet for the approval of businesses, whether existing or proposed, for the purpose of investment under the Citizenship by Investment Programme (CIP).

Investment Options

Applicants may qualify for citizenship through one of the following options:

  1. Individual Investment:
    A principal applicant, on their own behalf, makes an investment of at least US$1,500,000 in an approved business.

  2. Joint Investment:
    A minimum of two persons make a joint investment totaling at least US$5,000,000 in an approved business.

    • Each individual must contribute a minimum of US$400,000.
    • Applications for citizenship may be submitted on behalf of the individual investors through an authorized agent.

Application Process

Once approval of the business investment has been granted, the CIU will accept applications for citizenship. The process includes:

  1. Initial Submission:

    • Submit your application along with due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fees.

  2. Approval and Payment:

    • Upon receipt of a letter of approval, pay the balance of the government processing fees and the full investment amount within 30 days.
    • Escrow Agreements: Due to the varied nature of business investments, any escrow agreement will be negotiated between the parties. The transfer of the investment sums must occur within 30 days from the issuance of the approval letter.

  3. Processing Fees:

    • Single applicant: US$10,000
    • Family of 4 or fewer: US$20,000
    • Family of 5 or more: US$20,000 + US$10,000 for each additional dependent

Issuance of Citizenship Certificate

Upon successful payment and processing, a Certificate of Registration will be issued to the primary applicant and their family members. This document must be submitted to the passport office with the passport application and any required supporting documents.

Oath of Allegiance and Passport Collection

Applicants may fulfill the final requirements by:

  1. Visiting Antigua and Barbuda to collect their passport and take the oath or affirmation of allegiance.
  2. Visiting an Embassy, High Commission, or Consular Office of Antigua and Barbuda to complete these steps.[View the list of Embassies/High Commissions/Consular Offices here].

 

University of the West Indies Fund (UWI) Option

The University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund is a mechanism for financing the establishment and development of UWI’s fourth landed campus.

Contribution Requirements

  1. Family of 6:

    • Contribution: US$260,000 (inclusive of processing fees)

  2. Family of 7 or more:

    • Contribution: US$260,000
    • Processing Fees: US$10,000 for each additional dependent

Benefits

Participation in this option entitles one member of the family to a one-year, tuition-only scholarship at the University of the West Indies.

Application Process

  1. Initial Submission:

    • Obtain application forms from a local Licensed Agent authorized by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU). [View the list of Licensed Agents here].

  2. Fees and Payments:

    • Submit the application along with due diligence fees.
    • Upon receipt of a letter of approval, pay the passport fees and contribution amount within 30 days.
    • Contributions must be made to the Government Special Fund.

  3. Certificate of Registration:

    • A Certificate of Registration of Citizenship will be issued for the primary applicant and their family members.
    • This document must be submitted to the passport office with the passport application and required supporting documentation.

  4. Passport Issuance:

    • Your authorized agent/representative will forward the passports and Citizenship Certificate to you upon completion of processing.

Oath of Allegiance and Passport Collection

Applicants may complete the oath or affirmation of allegiance by:

  1. Visiting Antigua and Barbuda to take the oath and collect their passport.
  2. Visiting an Embassy, High Commission, or Consular Office of Antigua and Barbuda. [View the list of Embassies/High Commissions/Consular Offices here].