Investors obtain Antigua and Barbuda citizenship in exchange for a non-refundable contribution of at least $100,000 to the state National Development Fund. An investor’s family of 6 or more can choose another option — a contribution of at least $150,000 to the University of the West Indies Fund.
Contribution to the National Development Fund
The state fund was established as part of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme in 1993. The fund’s work is regulated by section 42 (2) of the Finance Administration Act, 2006, and the citizenship law, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Act, 2013.
Donating to Antigua and Barbuda NDF for citizenship is the least expensive program option. The minimum contribution is $100,000, which is also one of the most affordable options among the Caribbean citizenship programs.
The contribution amount to NDF in Antigua and Barbuda depends on the number of applicants. A $30,000 processing fee is applied regardless of the number of applicants.
Minimum contribution to Antigua and Barbuda’s NDF, depending on the family size
| Number of applicants | Donation amount |
| Investor | $100,000 |
| Investor and their spouse | $100,000 |
| Family of four, including the investor and their spouse | $100,000 |
| Family of five, including the investor and their spouse | $125,000 + $15,000 per additional applicant starting from the sixth one |
The money that investors contribute to the Antigua and Barbuda state fund goes toward developing the country's tourism, agriculture, service, and precious metal sectors. Tourism accounts for 60% of the country's GDP. Therefore, most of the money from the fund goes to support this sector.
For example, the state fund spent $45 million to expand the airport. Now the airport has enough space for passengers to be comfortable. For this purpose, three passenger jet bridges and two dozen check-in counters were set up. Thanks to this, the number of local, charter and international flights from London, New York, Miami and Toronto have increased.
80% of investors participating in the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program from 2016 to 2019 chose to contribute to the state fund. While the CIU department didn't publish detailed 2020—2022 data, it revealed that 89.5% of investors chose the state fund option during that period.
Contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund
If an investor contributes to the university fund, then they or one of their family members get the right to a year of free study at the university.
The contribution amount to UWIF in Antigua and Barbuda depends on the number of applicants:
- $150,000 — for a family of six or less;
- $150,000 + $15,000 per applicant — for a family of more than six members.
The University of the West Indies was founded as a University of London offshoot in 1948. The university uses UK educational standards and cooperates with Harvard. The university diploma is recognised in Europe and the US.
In the Times Higher Education ranking of 2022, the University of the West Indies entered the list of the best universities in the world. In the Latin American universities ranking of 2020, the University of the West Indies ranked 18th.
Among the university graduates and professors are Nobel laureates and state officials. Graduate Derek A. Walcott received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1992. Professors Anthony Chen, John Agard, and Dr Leonard Nurse were recognised as Nobel Peace Prize laureates in 2007. The Prime Ministers of Barbados, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Grenada, Jamaica, and Belize graduated from this university.
How many investors received Antigua and Barbuda passports
The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship program is one of the newest investment programs in the Caribbean countries. It has been running since 2013.
2,625 investors have received Antigua and Barbuda passports within the last six years. In total, the citizenship program brought EC$646.5 mln or about US$240 mln to Antigua and Barbuda’s budget.
Application process under the NDF option
Per law, applicants need to contact an authorised agent licensed by the Citizenship by Investment Unit of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda — such as Immigrant Invest.
The process of getting Antigua and Barbuda citizenship usually takes from 3 to 6 months.
How to get Antigua and Barbuda citizenship through the National Development Fund contribution
| Step | Details |
| 1️⃣ Preliminary Due Diligence | The licensed agent runs the preliminary Due Diligence checks with the investor and other applicants to prevent possible rejection from Antigua and Barbuda CBI unit. |
| 2️⃣ Submitting the documents to the CBI unit | The applicants submit their application form and the documents, vetted and prepared with Immigrant Invest’s assistance. The applicants also pay Due Diligence fees and 10% of the processing fee. |
| 3️⃣ Approval by the CBI unit and making the NDF contribution | If the investor and other applicants pass the main Due Diligence by the Antigua and Barbuda CBI unit, they receive the formal approval. Within 30 days, the investor makes the required donation to the National Development Fund. |
| 4️⃣ Getting Antigua and Barbuda passports | Within 4 weeks after making the NDF donation, the investor and other applicants receive their Antigua and Barbuda passports and the Certificates of Registration of Citizenship. The documents can be mailed to the applicants. Within the next 5 years, the newly naturalised citizens are required to spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda. |
| 5️⃣ Swearing the Oath of Allegiance | The investor and other adult applicants must take the Oath of Allegiance within the next 5 years before their Antigua and Barbuda passports expire and need to be renewed. The oath can be taken in the country, an embassy, a high commission, or Consular Office. It can also be taken online via videoconference. |
6 reasons to choose the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program
The ability to travel visa-free to 150 countries worldwide is one of the main reasons investors choose the Antigua and Barbuda passport. The Schengen Area, the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong are included in the visa-free countries list for Antigua and Barbuda passport holders.
The B-1/B-2 visa to the USA for 10 years is another advantage of an Antigua and Barbuda passport. A B‑1/B-2 visa is obtained for business purposes, as well as for travel or healthcare. With a B-1/B-2 visa, an investor can visit the US for up to 180 days a year.
3 to 6 months is the Antigua and Barbuda passport issuing period for investors in exchange for a non-refundable state fund contribution.
Citizenship for the whole family. The state fund contribution starting from $100,000, covers the investor and their family of as many as four members. This is the minimum non-refundable contribution for a family of four among all Caribbean programs.
Education opportunities. Investor’s children with Antigua and Barbuda passports have access to benefits when studying at UK universities.
Tax optimisation is also available to investors with Antigua and Barbuda citizenship. Tax residents don’t pay taxes on income received outside the country. Therefore, conducting international business in Antigua and Barbuda is profitable.
Zlata Erlach
