Antigua and Barbuda
National Development Fund (NDF)
Minimum investment
USD 230,000
Processing time
typically within 3-4 months from a complete application
Physical presence
none required to obtain citizenship, but citizenship may be revoked if the citizen does not spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 calendar years after being granted citizenship
- Investment route
- •Donation to the National Development Fund (NDF), minimum USD 230,000
- •Real estate investment of at least USD 300,000 into an approved project, held at least 5 years
- •Business investment of at least USD 1,500,000 as a sole investor, or a joint investment totaling at least USD 5,000,000 with each of at least 2 investors contributing at least USD 400,000
- •Contribution of USD 260,000 (inclusive of processing fees) to the University of the West Indies Five Islands Campus Fund
- Investment breakdown
- •NDF and Real Estate routes: processing fee USD 10,000 for a single applicant or USD 20,000 for a family of up to 4, plus USD 10,000 for each additional dependant beyond 4
- •Business route: same processing fee structure
- •UWI Fund route: the USD 260,000 contribution already includes processing fees, with USD 10,000 added per additional dependant
- Additional fees
- •due diligence fee of USD 8,500 for the principal applicant, plus USD 5,000 for a spouse, USD 2,000 per dependant aged 12-17, and USD 4,000 per dependant aged 18-30 or per dependent parent/grandparent aged 55+ (business route due diligence for spouse is USD 75,000 for the single-investor tier)
- •USD 5,000 benefactor fee
- •passport fee of USD 300 per person
- Eligibility
- •18+ for the main applicant
- •must select one of the four investment routes
- •must pass due diligence
- •disqualified by false information on the application, a disqualifying criminal record, an active criminal investigation, being deemed a national security risk, activity likely to cause disrepute to Antigua and Barbuda, or a relevant unresolved prior visa refusal
- Due diligence
- •rigorous background checks on all applicants
- •disqualifying factors include false information on the application, a family member with a contagious disease or serious health problem, a prior conviction with a maximum penalty over 6 months imprisonment without a free pardon, being the subject of a criminal investigation, being a national security risk, activity likely to cause disrepute to Antigua and Barbuda, or having been denied a visa to a visa-free-travel country and not since obtained that visa
- Family inclusion
- •Spouse of the main applicant
- •child of the main applicant or spouse aged 0-30 who is financially dependent
- •child 18+ who is physically or mentally challenged, living with and fully supported by the main applicant
- •parent or grandparent of the main applicant or spouse aged 55+ who is financially dependent
- •unmarried sibling of the main applicant or spouse
- •future spouse of the main applicant (USD 50,000 fee payable on application)
- •future spouse of a dependent child, provided that dependant is under 35 at the time of application
- •future child of a dependent child (USD 10,000 for a child under 6, USD 25,000 for a child aged 6-17)
- Naturalization
- •citizenship is granted immediately on approval
- •the 5-day stay requirement is the only presence obligation and can be fulfilled any time within 5 years
- Renewal
- •citizenship is permanent
- •no renewal beyond standard passport reissuance
- Dual citizenship
- Fully permitted — no requirement to renounce any prior nationality
- Key benefits
- •Visa-free access to 150+ destinations including the UK, Schengen Area, and Hong Kong
- •One of the lower-cost options for a family of four
- •5-day stay requirement is uniquely light compared to peer programs
- •note: a US Presidential Proclamation (10998, effective 1 January 2026) partially restricts US visas for Antiguan nationals — holders of valid US visas issued before that date are unaffected, but prospective travelers should check current US entry requirements
- Taxation
- no tax on worldwide income, capital gains, or inheritance
Application process
- 1.engage a licensed agent (direct applications to the CIU are not accepted)
- 2.complete the prescribed application forms and gather supporting documents including police certificates
- 3.the agent submits the application and pays the 10% non-refundable government fee deposit
- 4.the CIU conducts due diligence
- 5.on approval, pay the balance of the government fee, complete the chosen investment, and pay due diligence and passport fees
- 6.receive the certificate of registration and passport