May 13, 2026

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Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment cost in 2026

Antigua and Barbuda offers four citizenship-by-investment options, with the minimum threshold varying between $230,000 and $400,000.

However, there are additional costs and fees that every citizenship applicant should be aware of, such as a Due Diligence fee, an application processing fee, and a fee for an interview with the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit. Extra expenses could amount to at least $20,000.

This article covers all the essential details about the costs of obtaining a second citizenship in Antigua and Barbuda.

Lyle Julien

Lists all costs and fees associated with Antigua and Barbuda citizenship

Fact checked by Elena RudaElena Ruda

Reviewed by Vladlena BaranovaVladlena Baranova

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment: how much is Antigua passport?

Article content

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment options: a brief overview
8 benefits of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment
Non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund
Donation to a higher education institution
Real estate purchase
Business investments
Documents required to apply for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment
What is the cost of Antigua and Barbuda passport renewal?
Key things to know about costs associated with Antigua and Barbuda citizenship
Frequently asked questions

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Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment options: a brief overview

The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment (CBI) program has four options for investors who want to become citizens of the Caribbean country.

1. A non-refundable contribution. The investor donates a minimum of $230,000 to the National Development Fund, with the proceeds going toward developing the country’s tourism, agriculture, service, and precious metal industry.

2. Donation to a higher education institution. This is an option tailored for families of six or more people. The investor makes a non‑refundable contribution of at least $260,000.

3. Real estate purchase. The investor buys a property or shares in government-approved real estate projects, such as five‑star hotels and resort complexes. The minimum investment value is $300,000. They can sell the property in five years and return the money.

4. Business investments. To be eligible for the program, the potential applicant can invest in government-approved business projects, such as restaurants, cruise ports, marinas, bridges, roads, and pharmaceuticals.

The applicant can join a group willing to invest at least $5 million in total if each individual contributes at least $400,000. Alternatively, they can become a sole investor and spend at least $1.5 million.

How to obtain an Antigua and Barbuda passport as an investor

8 benefits of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment

1. Freedom of travel. Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can travel to over 150 countries without applying for a visa beforehand. In particular, they are eligible for visa-free entry to the Schengen Area states for 90 out of 180 days and to the United Kingdom for an uninterrupted 180-day period.

2. Extended rights in other CARICOM states. Antigua and Barbuda is a member of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which includes 15 member states. Citizens of the CARICOM countries enjoy visa-free travel in the area, as well as a single market that provides extra business opportunities.

3. Free entry to Antigua and Barbuda. After obtaining the Antigua and Barbuda passport, investors can travel to the country at any moment and spend an indefinite amount of time there.

4. Tax optimisation. Antigua and Barbuda levies no taxes on personal income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains. To become a tax resident, an individual lives there for at least 183 days a year.

5. Fast and convenient procedure. Applicants can receive passports by investment within 6 months. The process is completely remote for the investor who is represented by a licensed agent, such as Immigrant Invest.

6. Possibility of investment return. Participants of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program can return their investment in five years if they choose the real estate purchase option. As they own the property, it can be rented out with a yield of 2 to 5% per annum. After five years, the property can be sold at a profit.

7. Dual citizenship. Antigua and Barbuda does not demand that citizenship applicants renounce their first nationality.

8. Passports for family members. Apart from the investor, the application can include the spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 55, and unmarried siblings.

Individual cost calculation for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship

Get the cost calculation

Non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund

Before August 1st, 2024, the minimum investment required for this option was $100,000. However, after reaching an agreement with other Caribbean countries, Antigua and Barbuda raised the threshold to $230,000.

In addition to the investment, the applicant bears other expenses, such as fees for Due Diligence, application processing, an interview with the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), and passport issuance.

The minimum amount of the non‑refundable contribution does not depend on the number of family members in the application.

Antigua and Barbuda passport price for non-refundable contribution option

Expenses	For a single investor	For a family of 4+
Minimum investment	$230,000	$230,000
Processing fee	$10,000	$20,000 +$10,000 for each extra applicant, starting with the 5th dependant
Due Diligence	$8,500	$8,500 for the investor $5,000 for the spouse $4,000 per family member over 18 $2,000 per family member aged 12 to 17
CIU interview fee	$1,500 per application	$1,500 per application
Passport fee	$300	$1,200 +$300 for each extra applicant, starting with the 5th dependant
Total	$250,300	$266,200+

Donation to a higher education institution

This option is only available to families of six or more people. One of the applicants under the age of 29 will be able to attend a university for one year free of charge.

Previously, the University of the West Indies was the default destination for investment. After the law changes, any institution of higher education can be designated as an avenue of investment.

The minimum donation required does not increase with the addition of extra applicants. The donation amount includes the processing fees for six family members included in the application.

Antigua and Barbuda passport cost for higher education option

Expenses	For a family of 6	For a family of 7+
Minimum investment	$260,000	$260,000
Processing fee	—	$10,000 for each applicant, starting with the 7th dependant
Due Diligence	$8,500 for the investor $5,000 for the spouse $4,000 per family member over 18 $2,000 per family member aged 12 to 17	$8,500 for the investor $5,000 for the spouse $4,000 per family member over 18 $2,000 per family member aged 12 to 17
CIU interview fee	$1,500 per application	$1,500 per application
Passport fee	$1,800	$2,100 +$300 for each extra applicant
Total	$276,800+	$287,100+

Real estate purchase

Investors buy property worth at least $300,000 from the list of government-approved real estate projects. The property cannot be sold within five years of purchase unless the investor buys another property from the list.

The same fees apply to real estate buyers as to those who choose other options for obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment. However, they also pay the following property taxes:

stamp duty — 2.5% of the property value;
insurance fee — 0.2% of the property value;
ownership tax — between 0.1% and 0.5% of the property value for every year of owning the property.

Any property can only be used twice for the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program, so it may only be resold once to meet the new law's criteria. As a result, it is easier for an investor to resell the property bought directly from the developer. Buying real estate on the secondary market is a better option for investors who plan to keep it for personal use or rental income and have no intention to resell it.

It is profitable to rent out properties in Antigua and Barbuda as the country levies 0% tax on income.

Immigrant Invest real estate specialists help applicants choose the most suitable real estate to meet their demands. This can be done using our catalogue, which includes government‑approved property.

Antigua and Barbuda passport price for real estate option

Expenses	For a single investor	For a family of 4+
Minimum investment	$300,000	$300,000
Processing fee	$10,000	$20,000 +$10,000 for each extra applicant, starting with the 5th dependant
Due Diligence	$8,500	$8,500 for the investor $5,000 for the spouse $4,000 per family member over 18 $2,000 per family member aged 12 to 17
CIU interview fee	$1,500	$1,500
Passport fee	$300	$1,200 +$300 for each extra applicant, starting with the 5th dependant
Total	$320,300	$336,200+

Business investments

The minimum amount a citizenship applicant can invest in an existing or proposed company in Antigua and Barbuda is $400,000 if they are part of a joint investment of at least $5 million.

Without group involvement, a sole investor becomes eligible only after contributing at least $1.5 million.

Antigua and Barbuda passport cost for business investment option

Expenses	For a single investor	For a family of 4+
Minimum investment	$400,000	$400,000
Processing fee	$10,000	$20,000 +$10,000 for each extra applicant, starting with the 5th dependant
Due Diligence	$8,500	$8,500 for the investor $5,000 for the spouse $4,000 per family member over 18 $2,000 per family member aged 12 to 17
CIU interview fee	$1,500	$1,500
Passport fee	$300	$1,200 +$300 for each extra applicant, starting with the 5th dependant
Total	$420,300	$436,200+

Documents required to apply for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment

Before applying for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment, the following documents are to be collected:

application forms completed by Immigrant Invest lawyers;
passport photos of each applicant;
birth certificates;
copies of current passports, showing current name, citizenship, date and place of issue, expiration date, and passport number;
proof of name change, if applicable;
police certificates for each applicant aged 18 years or above, required for each country where the applicant lived for at least six consecutive months after turning 18;
medical certificates, including results of an HIV test for each applicant aged 12 years or above;
a bank reference letter;
marriage and divorce certificates, if applicable.

All the documents and their copies must be notarised and, if necessary, translated into English.

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A step-by-step guide to obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship

From the experience of the Immigrant Invest lawyers, the whole process of obtaining Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment can take at least 6 months.

1 day

Preliminary Due Diligence

Immigrant Invest’s Compliance Department conducts confidential preliminary Due Diligence checks against international databases to minimise the rejection risk to 1%. The procedure is mandatory and confidential. The potential applicant is only required to submit their passport. In case any issues arise, Immigrant Invest specialists can offer the potential investor a solution or an alternative option, based on their requirements.

3 to 5 weeks

Documents collection and application

The investor receives a full list of documents they need to submit along with the application. Immigrant Invest lawyers translate and apostille them, and complete government forms.

3+ months

Due Diligence

The Antigua and Barbuda CBI unit carries out a Due Diligence check for all family members over 12 years old in the application. Additional documents may be requested at this stage. All applicants over 16 undergo an interview with the CIU. The interview is held online in English or in the applicant’s native language. The procedure is remote: the investor and their family members are not required to travel to Antigua and Barbuda.

Up to 30 days

Fulfilment of the investment condition

After the application is approved, the investor directs the money towards the selected option.

Up to 4 weeks

Receiving the passport

After completing the investment, the applicant takes an oath of allegiance to Antigua and Barbuda at the nearest consulate or via a videoconference. The passports and the naturalisation certificates are sent to the address chosen by the applicant. Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are obliged to visit the country for five days during the first five years of holding their passports.

What is the cost of Antigua and Barbuda passport renewal?

According to the terms of the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program, the applicant’s first passport is issued for five years. After that, it may be renewed for a 10‑year period.

To be eligible for passport renewal, the Antigua and Barbuda CBI recipient is required to spend at least five days in the country within the first five years after becoming a citizen. They also confirm that the investment has been maintained for five years.

Each individual over 18 pays $1,000 for application processing and passport issuance. The fee for a person under 18 is $500.

Key things to know about costs associated with Antigua and Barbuda citizenship

The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program has four investment options for applicants: a contribution to the National Development Fund, a donation to a higher education institution, real estate purchase, and business investment.
The minimum investment threshold for participation in the program is $230,000 as a non-refundable contribution.
The only way to return the investment is by purchasing real estate for at least $300,000. In this case, the property can be sold in 5 years.
Other costs, such as Due Diligence, application processing, passport issuance, and CIU interview fees, are borne by the applicant. The additional expenses could amount to at least $20,000.
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are required to spend at least five days in the country within the first five years after receiving their passports.

Frequently asked questions

How much does an Antigua and Barbuda passport cost?

The minimum investment threshold for Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment is $230,000.

After adding extra costs, such as Due Diligence, passport, and application fees, an investor can spend more than $250,000 with no family members in the application or more than $270,000 for a family of four.

What are the ways to get Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment?

The Antigua and Barbuda CBI program offers potential applicants four paths: a contribution to the National Development Fund, a donation to a higher education institution, a real estate purchase, or business investments.

How strong is the Antigua and Barbuda passport?

Antigua and Barbuda passport holders can travel to over 150 countries, including the Schengen Area states and the United Kingdom, without applying for a visa beforehand, making it a strong passport in comparison with most countries around the world.

How much does it cost to renew an Antigua and Barbuda passport?

To renew an Antigua and Barbuda passport, an individual pays $1,000 as application and passport fees. For children under 18 years old, the fee is $500.

What are the benefits of Antigua and Barbuda citizenship?

An Antigua and Barbuda passport increases its holder’s freedom of travel, making it easier to travel to European countries without visas and travel more freely to over 150 destinations, including the Schengen Area and the UK.

Moving to Antigua and Barbuda as a citizen can also help investors optimise their taxes, as the country does not impose taxes on personal income, wealth, inheritance, or capital gains.

Immigrant Invest is a licensed agent for government programs in the European Union and the Caribbean.