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Caribbean

Nationality of Antigua and Barbuda: all obtaining pathways

Verified: 2026-06-20Informational guide; the linked official source is the valid reference.6 pathways

Antigua and Barbuda runs a citizenship-by-investment program with four options — the UWI fund from 230,000 USD, the national fund, real estate and business investment — with the 200,000 USD floor of the 2024 Caribbean Memorandum and only a five-day visit. Ordinary naturalization requires seven years — five by marriage — and descent requires no residence.

1

Citizenship by Investment - University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund

Requirements

  • Contribution of USD 260,000 for a family of 6 or more people (inclusive of processing fees)
  • USD 10,000 processing fee for each additional dependent (from the 7th on)
  • Due diligence: USD 8,500 main applicant, USD 5,000 spouse, USD 2,000 per dependent aged 12-17, USD 4,000 per dependent aged 18+
  • Mandatory interview for applicants over 16
  • One family member receives a 1-year scholarship (tuition only) at the University of the West Indies
  • No criminal record
  • Show a source of lawful funds
  • Good health

Documentation

  • Complete and notarized application form
  • Color copies of all passports
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage/divorce certificate if applicable
  • Criminal record certificates from country of birth, citizenship and residence
  • Medical certificate and HIV test
  • Passport-size photos
  • Professional reference
  • Employment letter or financial statements
  • 12-month bank statements
  • Bank reference letter
  • Sworn affidavit of source of funds
  • Proof of payment of the corresponding fees
Duration: No residence required (must visit Antigua and Barbuda at least 5 days within the first 5 years)
Official link
2

Citizenship by Investment - National Development Fund (NDF)

Requirements

  • Non-refundable contribution of USD 230,000 per application (the same applies to a single applicant or a family)
  • Processing fee: USD 10,000 (single applicant) / USD 20,000 (family of up to 4) / USD 20,000 plus USD 10,000 per additional dependent from the 5th on (family of 5 or more)
  • Due diligence: USD 8,500 main applicant, USD 5,000 spouse, USD 2,000 per dependent aged 12-17, USD 4,000 per dependent aged 18+, USD 5,000 Benefactor
  • Mandatory interview for applicants over 16
  • No criminal record
  • Show a source of lawful funds
  • Good health
  • Fund subject to parliamentary oversight with a semiannual report and audit by a recognized firm

Documentation

  • Complete and notarized application form
  • Color copies of all passports
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage/divorce certificate if applicable
  • Criminal record certificates from country of birth, citizenship and residence
  • Medical certificate and HIV test
  • Passport-size photos
  • Professional reference
  • Employment letter or financial statements
  • 12-month bank statements
  • Bank reference letter
  • Sworn affidavit of source of funds
  • Proof of payment of the corresponding fees
Duration: No residence required (must visit Antigua and Barbuda at least 5 days within the first 5 years)
Official link
3

Citizenship by Investment - Real Estate

Requirements

  • Minimum investment of USD 300,000 in approved property
  • Hold the property for at least 5 years (no resale unless buying other approved property)
  • Processing fee: USD 10,000 (single applicant) / USD 20,000 (family of up to 4) / USD 20,000 plus USD 10,000 per additional dependent from the 5th on
  • Due diligence: USD 8,500 main applicant, USD 5,000 spouse, USD 2,000 per dependent aged 12-17, USD 4,000 per dependent aged 18+
  • Mandatory interview for applicants over 16
  • No criminal record
  • Show a source of lawful funds
  • Beneficial ownership through a non-profit company is permitted if all shares are issued to the applicant

Documentation

  • Complete and notarized application form
  • Color copies of all passports
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage/divorce certificate if applicable
  • Criminal record certificates from country of birth, citizenship and residence
  • Medical certificate and HIV test
  • Passport-size photos
  • Professional reference
  • Employment letter or financial statements
  • 12-month bank statements
  • Bank reference letter
  • Sworn affidavit of source of funds
  • Proof of payment of the corresponding fees
  • Property purchase and sale agreement
Duration: No residence required (must visit Antigua and Barbuda at least 5 days within the first 5 years)
Official link
4

Citizenship by Investment - Business Investment

Requirements

  • Individual option: minimum investment of USD 1,500,000 in an approved business
  • Joint option: minimum joint investment of USD 5,000,000 by at least 2 people (minimum USD 400,000 each)
  • Processing fee: USD 10,000 (single applicant) / USD 20,000 (family of up to 4) / USD 20,000 plus USD 10,000 per additional dependent
  • Due diligence: USD 8,500 main applicant, USD 5,000 spouse, USD 2,000 per dependent aged 12-17, USD 4,000 per dependent aged 18+
  • Mandatory interview for applicants over 16
  • No criminal record
  • Show a source of lawful funds
  • The business must be approved by the Cabinet on the CIU's recommendation

Documentation

  • Complete and notarized application form
  • Color copies of all passports
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage/divorce certificate if applicable
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Medical certificate and HIV test
  • Passport-size photos
  • Business plan or documents of the approved company
  • 12-month bank statements
  • Bank reference letter
  • Sworn affidavit of source of funds
  • Proof of payment of the corresponding fees
Duration: No residence required (must visit Antigua and Barbuda at least 5 days within the first 5 years)
Official link
5

Naturalization by residence

Requirements

  • Good character
  • Intention to continue residing in Antigua and Barbuda
  • Sufficient knowledge of English
  • No serious criminal record
  • Commonwealth citizen registration: 7 years ordinary residence (Constitution Cap. 23, s. 113). Marriage to a citizen: registration after 3 years of subsisting union (Constitution Cap. 23).

Documentation

  • Naturalization form
  • Birth certificate
  • Marriage certificate if applicable
  • Proof of continuous residence (7 years minimum)
  • Criminal record certificate
  • Character references
  • Passport-size photos
Duration: 12 continuous months + 5 years aggregated within the previous 7 (Second Schedule, Cap. 22)
Official link
6

Citizenship by Descent

Requirements

  • Born abroad to a citizen of Antigua and Barbuda
  • Consular registration before age 18
  • Father/mother must be a citizen by birth or naturalization

Documentation

  • Birth certificate of the applicant
  • Birth certificate of the citizen father/mother
  • Passport of the citizen father/mother
  • Registration form for birth abroad
Duration: No residence required
Official link

Frequently asked questions about the nationality of Antigua and Barbuda

How many years of residence does Antigua and Barbuda require to naturalize?

According to the main pathway of Antigua and Barbuda (Naturalization by residence), the term is 12 continuous months + 5 years aggregated within the previous 7 (Second Schedule, Cap. 22). The complete details of requirements and exceptions appear in the fact sheet.

What documentation does naturalization in Antigua and Barbuda require?

The Naturalization by residence pathway requires: Naturalization form; Birth certificate; Marriage certificate if applicable; Proof of continuous residence (7 years minimum); Criminal record certificate; among 2 more documents.

What pathways exist to obtain the nationality of Antigua and Barbuda?

Antigua and Barbuda provides 6 pathways: Citizenship by Investment - University of the West Indies, Citizenship by Investment - National Development Fund, Citizenship by Investment - Real Estate, Citizenship by Investment - Business Investment, Naturalization by residence, Citizenship by Descent.

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