Antigua And Barbuda Citizenship By Investment: The Go-To Plan B Passport For North Americans (In Particular)

Launched in January of 2013, the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment (CBI) program is increasingly the go-to option for Americans and Canadians, in particular.

Offering stunning tropical vistas, year-round sunshine, and a whopping 365 beaches, the twin island nation of Antigua and Barbuda can rightfully be described as a tropical island paradise.

And with regular direct flights connecting Antigua to New York (JFK), Miami, Charlotte and Atlanta, as well as Toronto, the country scores high as an accessible Plan B destination.

The program has historically been an excellent option for large families, given its competitive pricing and generous eligible family member definitions.

(This broad definition of eligible dependents benefits large, multi-generational families, in particular.)

Add to that the program’s sterling reputation and stable processing times (5-7 months), combined with highly attractive real estate options, and it’s no surprise that the Antigua CBI enjoys perennial popularity.

The year 2018 proved to be a record year for the Antigua and Barbuda CBI, with the program receiving 678 applications, and raising in excess of $64 million via contributions  to the National Development Fund (NDF).

By the end of 2022, according to annual reporting by the The Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), the program had received over 3,779 applications, with 7,205 Antiguan passports issued.

And while reporting for 2023 and 2024 is not available yet, the 2024 Caribbean CBI floor price increase (to $200,000+) drove massive demand for all the Caribbean programs, including the Antiguan program.

The Antigua CBI offers applicants 4 qualifying investment options to choose from (more on this below).

The recent Caribbean-wide price increase saw Antigua raise its minimum donation requirement on the NDF option to $235,000). It’s no surprise, therefore, that the real estate option – priced from just $300,000 – has become the go-to program option in 2024.

Let’s get into the program details below…

KEY COUNTRY FACTS & STATS

Official CBI Program Website: Click Here

Antiguan Passport Power: Visa-free travel access to 153* destinations, including the EU, UK and Russia (*Including eTA and visa-on-arrival countries)

CARICOM Member Country: Yes

Population: 93,763 (2022)

Capital: St John’s

Official Language: English

GDP Per Capita: $19,919 (2022)

Local Time: Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4)

Dual Citizenship Recognized: Yes

Currency: Eastern Caribbean Dollar (XCD)

Tax Benefits: No capital gains tax, estate tax, or personal income tax

US E-2 Treaty Signatory Country: No

This page frequently gets found for Google searches like Antigua Citizenship By Investment, Antigua CBI, Antigua Passport By Investment, etc.

WANT A STRONGER PASSPORT THAN THAT OF ANTIGUA?

Be sure to check out the Serbian Citizenship By Exception Program as well.

BENEFITS OF GETTING ANTIGUA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT

Why choose Antigua and Barbuda as part of your Plan B passport portfolio?

Antigua And Barbuda
CBI Investment Options (2025)

Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment Program offers a dynamic range of investment opportunities, including:

  • Government Approved Real Estate Projects: Priced from $300,000+
  • Donations to the country’s National Development Fund (NDF): Priced from $230,000+
  • Donations to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund: Priced from $260,000 (inclusive of processing fees)
  • Approved Business Investments: Priced from $1,500,000+

Below we unpack each of these program options in more detail…

Approved Real Estate:
$300,000+

Overview Pros & Cons

For many CBI applicants the world over, real estate is an obvious choice. But in Antigua and Barbuda, CBI applicants have historically favored the donation based route.

The reason for this is that, until recently, the minimum NDF donation amount started from just $100,000.

But now, with the minimum donation amount starting at $230,000, more applicants are opting for the real estate option instead.

Properties must be purchased in a government approved project, and the minimum property value must be $300,000. Two investors can also buy one property together, as long as each party invests $300,000+.

These properties must be held for at least five years, unless an alternate officially approved property is purchased.

PROS: Better value for money – a $300,000 real estate investment offering potential growth, vs a sunk cost of at least $235,000.

CONS: CBI applicants have to guard against paying overinflated prices for off-plan properties.

Property based CBI applications can take longer than the donation based route (although we have access to real estate options that process in the same amount of time).

Not all applicants may wish to own property in a remote island location.

MINIMUM PROPERTY PRICE: $300,000+

PROCESSING FEES:

  • Single Applicant: $10,000
  • Married Couple: $10,000
  • Family of 3: $10,000
  • Family of 4: $20,000
  • Family of 5+: $20,000 + $10,000 for each additional dependent

National Development Fund (NDF) Donations:
$230,000+

Overview Pros & Cons

The National Development Fund (NDF) is a non-profit fund that was established under section 42(2) of the Finance Administration Act of 2006. The purpose of the NDF is to fund government sponsored projects, including public-private partnerships and approved charitable investments.

It is subject to parliamentary oversight, with  six-monthly reporting to Parliament ensuring transparency and accountability. The fund is also audited by an internationally recognised accounting firm.

Acquisition of citizenship under the NDF donation option requires a contribution to the National Development Fund in the minimum sum of US$230,000 per application.

The primary applicant may include their spouse, dependent children and dependent parents over 55 years of age within the application with no additional financial contribution required.

It must be noted, however, that government and due diligence fees will be payable per each individual which are outlined within the fees section.

Larger families tend to favor the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund donation option (as outlined below).

PROS: The NDF donation-based route is the fastest route to apply for Antigua citizenship.

CONS: This is a sunk-cost option, which, at $230,000, is less appealing than a recoupable investment of $300,000.

MINIMUM CONTRIBUTIONS (2025):

  • Single Applicant: $230,000
  • Married Couple: $230,000
  • Family of 4: $230,000
  • Family of 5+: 245,000

PROCESSING FEES:

  • Single Applicant: $10,000
  • Married Couple: $10,000
  • Family of 3: $10,000
  • Family of 4: $20,000
  • Family of 5+: $20,000 + $10,000 for each additional dependent

Donations to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund:
$260,000+

Overview Pros & Cons

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

CBI Applicants who choose this option will be required to make a donation of US$260,000 for a family of six (6) or more (i.e., the minimum number of persons per application is 6).

Participation in the UWI Fund option will entitle one member of your family to a one year, tuition only, scholarship at the University of the West Indies.

Larger families tend to favor the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund donation option from a cost-efficiency point of view, whereas smaller families, couples and single applications opt for either the NDF Donation or Real Estate options.

PROS: A fast, value-for-money option for larger families (1 primary applicant + 5 or more dependents).

One year’s free UWI tuition for one of your dependent family members.

CONS: This is a sunk-cost option, which, at $260,000, could be less appealing than a recoupable property investment of $300,000 (especially for smaller families and single applicants).

MINIMUM DONATIONS (2025):

  • Family of 6: $260,000 (inclusive of processing fees)
  • Family of 7+: $260,000 donation, plus a $10,000 processing for each additional dependent.

Government Approved Business Investments:
$1,500,000+

Overview Pros & Cons

The Antigua Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) submits recommendations to Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda regarding suitable target businesses, whether existing or proposed, for the purposes of investment under the CBI program.

Going into 2025, the 2 business investment options are:

  • Single Applicant: An investment of at least $1.5 million in a government approved business.
  • Group Of Applicants: 2 persons (or more) can make a joint investment in an approved business totalling at least $5 million. No person is allowed to contribute less than S$400,000 to the joint investment.

PROS: For applicants intent on investing in an approved business, outside of the context of a CBI application, this option can make a lot of sense.

CONS: Given the high minimum investment threshold and the nature of the investment, this program track is generally not favored by the majority of CBI applicants.

PROCESSING FEES:

  • Single Applicant: US$10,000
  • Family Of 4: US$20,000
  • Family Of 5 Or More: $20,000, plus $10,000 for each additional dependent.

Antigua Citizenship By Investment vs
Serbian Citizenship By Exception

Key Program Aspects Antigua Citizenship By Investment (CBI) Program Serbian Discretionary Citizenship By Investment Program
Minimum Capital Requirement From $230,000+ From €250,000+
Application Approving Entity Applicable Ministry (differs based on type of investment) Serbian Government, President, or Prime Minister
Current Application Process Duration 7-8 months 3-4 months
Local Language Proficiency Requirement No No
Minimum In-Country Presence Requirements 5 days in 5 years None
Non-Refundable Citizenship By Donation Option Yes Yes (if approved)
Full Citizenship Conferred Yes  Yes
Names of new CBI citizens publicly published by host government No No
Dual Citizenship Status Recognized By Host Country? Yes Yes (for Citizenship By Exception applicants).

The Antigua Citizenship By Investment
Application Process (Real Estate Option)

The Antigua Citizenship By Investment
Application Process (NDF Donation Option)

Why Choose To Work With Us?

Cyprus CBI Icon

THE ANTIGUA CBI EXPERTS

Let our seasoned legal team in St John’s, Antigua, guide you through every step of the CBI process.

Cyprus CBI Icon

HIGHLY RESPECTED FIRM

If you’re looking for an Antiguan immigration law firm with impeccable credentials, then look no further.

Cyprus CBI Icon

WE GO THE EXTRA MILE

Our team on the ground takes great pride in making clients’ application journey as fast and seamless as possible.

Secure your Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship By Investment in just 4-6 months with confidence and ease. Donations priced from $230,000. Properties priced from $300,000. Contact us now to get started today.

Simply complete the below form and one of our program experts will contact you with more information.