Antigua and Barbuda citizenship offers many benefits, including visa-free travel to 150+ countries, tax optimisation, profit from real estate investments, the option to hold dual citizenship, and more.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship: 20 benefits and drawbacks for an investor
Antigua and Barbuda is one of the Caribbean countries that offers citizenship by investment. Wealthy people apply for a country’s passport for many reasons.
For example, Antigua and Barbuda citizens can travel to 150+ countries visa-free, open bank accounts in the Caribbean, optimise their taxes, and visit Antigua and Barbuda anytime.
However, this Caribbean citizenship also has some disadvantages. Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of the Antigua and Barbuda passport.
Fact checked by Elena RudaElena Ruda
Fact checked by Elena Ruda
Elena helped over 500 investors’ families to choose and obtain second citizenship or residency. She knows the pros and cons of each investment option and improves the industry expertise at the company.
Reviewed by Vladlena BaranovaVladlena Baranova
Reviewed by Vladlena Baranova
Vladlena leads preparation to Due Diligence and application for citizenship or residency by investment. She performs independent and in-depth analysis of investors’ situations and indicates possible risks. Vladlena helped to get second passports and residence permits to over 300 investors from all over the world.
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Antigua and Barbuda citizenship: overview
The opportunity to obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment was first introduced in 2013, making it one of the newest programs in the Caribbean region. It allows investors to acquire the country’s passport by investing at least $230,000.
To apply, the investor must be over 18 years old, have no criminal records, and have severe diseases. They must also be able to prove the legality of their income.
The most important advantages of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship are:
- Visa-free travel to 150+ countries.
- Opportunity to visit Antigua and Barbuda anytime.
- Several investment options.
- Citizenship for close family members.
- Profitable investment option for large families.
- Returnable investments.
- Profit from purchasing real estate.
- Tax optimisation.
- Opportunity to open an Antiguan bank account.
- Fast process for obtaining a passport.
- Opportunity to get citizenship remotely.
- No need to pass a language or history exam.
- Opportunity to have dual citizenship.
- No residency requirement.
14 benefits of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship
1. Visa-free travel to 150 countries. With an Antigua and Barbuda passport, you can enter countries like the UK, Singapore, and South Korea visa-free. You can also access the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in 180 days. The allowed stay in the UK is up to 180 days per year.
2. Opportunity to visit Antigua and Barbuda anytime. Antigua and Barbuda citizens can enter the country under any conditions, even if borders are closed to foreigners.
You can also stay as long as you like. The country is famous for its pleasant climate, stunning landscapes, and sea activities.
3. Several investment options to choose from. Antigua and Barbuda offers four investment options:
- non-refundable contribution of $230,000+ to the National Development Fund;
- real estate purchase for $300,000+;
- contribution of $260,000+ to a higher education institution;
- business investments of $400,000+.
Additionally, applicants must pay a $10,000 processing fee and $8,500+ for Due Diligence.
4. Citizenship for close family members. Investors can add a spouse, financially dependent children under 30, parents and grandparents over 55, and unmarried siblings to their citizenship application.
The investor also has a right to add a new family member after obtaining citizenship.
5. Profitable investment option for big families. Antigua and Barbuda is the only Caribbean country with an investment option specifically designed for families of 6 or more persons, which is a donation of $260,000+ to a higher education institution. Under this option, a family of six will save at least $11,000 compared to other investments. Moreover, this contribution covers one year of free tuition at any local university for any family member under 29.
6. Returnable investments. If you invest in real estate or a business, you can sell a property or your share in the company 5 years after obtaining citizenship.
7. Profit from purchasing real estate. When an investor buys real estate, they can rent it out and earn income.
Real estate prices are constantly rising, with an average annual yield of 2—5%. Five years after acquiring citizenship, you can sell the property, recover your investment, and make a profit.
Investment real estate in Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Philip
$300,000 — $2,850,000
Share, apartements, townhouse or villa in a resort on the coast of the island
56 m²
1–5
1–5
Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Philip
$350,000 — $400,000
Apartments in a hotel complex by the sea
1
1
Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Philip
$400,000 — $450,000
Villa in a five-star resort complex
120 m²
2—3
1—2
8. Tax optimisation. Antigua and Barbuda residents don’t pay taxes on personal income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains. Dividends, royalties, and interest are also tax-free.
Companies registered and operating in Antigua and Barbuda pay a flat 25% corporate tax, with reduced rates for certain industries, such as 22.5% for banks and 10% for insurance, oil, and telecommunications companies.
The standard VAT rate is 15%, with reduced rates of 14% for hotels and restaurants, and 0% for fuel, electricity, food, and water.
9. Opportunity to open an Antiguan bank account. Passport holders can open accounts in banks across the Caribbean in multiple currencies, making it easier to manage an international business and assets. The banking system in Antiguan and Barbuda also protects the financial privacy of its citizens, as the country is not a part of the automatic exchange of information networks.
10. Fast process of obtaining a passport. You can obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport in just over six months. For comparison, obtaining Malta citizenship for exceptional service by direct investment requires holding a residence permit for at least one or three years, depending on the investment amount.
11. Opportunityto obtain citizenship remotely. You don’t need to visit Antigua and Barbuda to invest, take the oath of allegiance, or collect your passport. Everything can be handled remotely, and your passport will be delivered to your address.
12. No need to pass a language or history exam. Antigua and Barbuda does not require applicants to pass any language or history exams for citizenship by investment.
13. Opportunityto have dual citizenship. Antigua and Barbuda allows dual citizenship, so you can retain your original citizenship. However, this depends on whether your home country permits dual citizenship.
14. Lenient residency requirement. You do not need to live in Antigua and Barbuda to maintain your citizenship. New citizens must only spend five days in the country during the first five years after obtaining citizenship, offering great flexibility for global investors.
5 cons of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship
1. Citizenship is not inherited. An investor cannot pass their citizenship on to future generations. However, it is possible to add a newborn child to citizenship by paying a processing fee of $10,000.
2. Not all investment options are refundable. Contributions to the National Development Fund and donations to higher education are non-refundable. However, investing in the latter grants one family member under 29 a free year of study at the University of the West Indies.
3. Almost no double tax treaties with other countries. Antigua and Barbuda has double tax treaties only with Germany, the UK, and CARICOM countries. This may require paying taxes in multiple countries of citizenship.
4. Need to visit the country. To maintain citizenship, the investor needs to spend 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within 5 years of obtaining a passport.
5. Remote country. Antigua and Barbuda is a set of islands in the Atlantic Ocean. Travel to major cities can be lengthy, with a flight to New York taking nearly five hours and to Europe over eight hours.
Step-by-step procedure for obtaining the Antigua and Barbuda passport
Obtaining an Antigua and Barbuda passport by investment takes at least 6 months. Immigrant Invest, as a licenced agent of the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program, assists at each step.
1 day
Preliminary Due Diligence
Immigrant Invest lawyers conduct preliminary Due Diligence to reduce the risk of rejection to 1%. This check is confidential, and the investor only needs to provide their passport.
3 to 5 weeks
Preparation of documents
Immigrant Invest lawyers provide the investor with a list of required documents. They also translate and notarise the papers and complete the necessary state forms.
3+ months
Due Diligence
The lawyers send all the documents to the country’s CBI unit as soon as they are prepared. The authorities check the investor and all their family members over 12 against international databases.
Up to 30 days
Fulfilment of investment conditions
When the Due Diligence is finished and the application is approved, the investor must fulfil the chosen investment option within 30 days.
Up to 4 weeks
Collection of the passport
According to the Immigrant Invest lawyers’ experience, it takes approximately 4 weeks to issue a passport and a naturalisation certificate. They can be handed to the investor in person or sent to a specified address.
1 day
Oath of allegiance
The investor can take the oath via videoconference or at a consulate without travelling to Antigua and Barbuda.
Every step can be completed remotely. However, to maintain citizenship, the investor must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 years.
Once the process is complete, investors enjoy the benefits of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship, including visa-free travel to over 150 countries. Family members included in the application also receive citizenship, making it a great option for securing a future for loved ones.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship: pros and cons
| Pros | Cons |
| ✅ The investor’s close family members can get Antigua and Barbuda passports with them | ❌ Citizenship obtained by investment is non‑inheritable |
| ✅ Several investment options to choose from, including the refundable purchase of real estate and a contribution designed for big families | ❌ Contributions to state funds are non‑refundable |
| ✅ Fast and remote procedures for obtaining citizenship by investment | ❌ An investor must visit the country within the first 5 years after obtaining citizenship and spend at least 5 days on the islands |
| ✅ An Antigua and Barbuda citizen can visit the country anytime to have vacations or live for as long as they want | ❌ Antigua and Barbuda is a remote country in the Caribbean Sea |
| ✅ Low tax rates for individuals and legal entities in Antigua and Barbuda | ❌ Almost no double tax treaties with other countries |
| ✅ Visa-free travels to 150 destinations, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and South Korea | |
| ✅ Bank accounts in Antigua and Barbuda | |
| ✅ Antiguan investment properties can be rented out and yield 2—5% a year | |
| ✅ Dual citizenship is allowed |
Obtaining an Antigua and Barbuda passport offers many benefits. If you're considering Caribbean citizenship, think about your goals. As a licensed agent of the country’s citizenship by investment program, Immigrant Invest can guide you in making the best decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?
Can an Antiguan citizen work in the UK?
To work in the UK, an Antiguan citizen must obtain a work visa. However, they can travel and stay in the UK for up to 180 days a year without a visa.
How many countries can you go to with Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?
With an Antigua and Barbuda passport, you can travel to 150 countries visa-free, including EU states, the UK, Singapore, and South Korea.
Does Antigua allow dual citizenship?
Yes, Antigua and Barbuda permits dual citizenship. Yes, Antigua and Barbuda permits dual citizenship. You can hold multiple passports unless your country of origin prohibits dual citizenship.
Why is the Antigua and Barbuda passport powerful?
The Antigua and Barbuda passport is considered powerful because it ranks high in the freedom of travel passport index. In 2024, the country’s citizens can enter 152 states visa‑free.
What are the disadvantages of the Antigua and Barbuda passport?
Antigua and Barbuda passport disadvantages include non‑inheritance of citizenship, 2 non‑refundable investment options, limited double tax treaties, residency requirements, and its remote location.
Is Antigua a good passport?
Yes, an Antigua and Barbuda passport is highly regarded. It offers visa-free travel to over 150 countries, including major business hubs like the UK and Schengen Area. Its straightforward investment process adds to its appeal.
Is Antigua tax-free?
Antigua and Barbuda residents enjoy tax benefits like no personal income tax, no capital gains tax, and no inheritance tax. However, local taxes, such as property taxes and stamp duties, still apply. This makes the country attractive for tax planning and investment strategies.
What are the benefits of living in Antigua?
Living in Antigua offers several benefits that make it an appealing destination for expats and investors:
- tropical climate and stunning natural beauty;
- tax benefits, including no personal income, capital gains, or inheritance taxes;
- visa-free travel to 150+ countries with Antigua and Barbuda citizenship;
- stable political environment;
- diverse culture and a welcoming community;
- safety and a low crime rate.
These factors, combined with the flexibility of citizenship by investment, make Antigua a desirable location for those seeking both a new home and a smart investment.
Can US citizens live in Antigua?
Yes, US citizens can stay in Antigua and Barbuda for up to 180 days a year. For longer stays, they need to obtain residency, with one option being citizenship by investment. This allows US citizens to live in Antigua and enjoy the benefits of dual citizenship.
How do I get an Antigua passport?
To obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport, an applicant must invest at least $230,000, applying through the country’s CBI Unit. Other steps are Due Diligence, document preparation, fulfilling investment conditions, and taking an oath of allegiance. Immigrant Invest lawyers assist with each stage.
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Antigua and Barbuda citizenship: 20 benefits and drawbacks for an investor
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