CitizenshipAntigua & Barbuda
A family-focused Caribbean citizenship with a route built around education and the lowest cost per large family.
Antigua and Barbuda offers a citizenship-by-investment programme that is especially attractive to larger families, thanks to a dedicated University of the West Indies fund route designed around households of six or more. The twin-island nation combines natural beauty with a stable, English-speaking environment.
Applicants can choose a contribution to the National Development Fund, the purchase of approved real estate, or the UWI education fund, each leading to a passport initially valid for five years and renewable for ten. A modest requirement to spend at least five days in the country during the first five years is the only physical-presence condition.
CBIProgram handles your application end to end, from assembling the government forms and arranging due diligence to the final issuance of certificates and passports, with the full process typically wrapping up within about six months.
- Residence requirement: ~5 days within 5 years
- Holding period: 5 years (real estate)
Program law
Citizenship is granted under the Citizenship by Investment Act, 2013 (Act No. 2 of 2013), with Section 6 setting out the qualifying investment routes.
Key benefits
Built for Big Families
The University fund route is tailored to households of six or more, making it one of the most cost-effective options for large families.
Education Advantage
Choosing the UWI fund earns one family member a one-year, tuition-only scholarship at the University of the West Indies.
Broad Visa-Free Travel
The passport opens visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to around 153 destinations worldwide.
Light Presence Rule
The only physical requirement is spending at least five days in the country within the first five years of citizenship.
Visa-free destinations
Visa-free, visa-on-arrival or eVisa access. Contact us for the full, up-to-date destination list. Compare
Fees & costs
Investment options
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| National Development Fund donation — Non-refundable; the total varies with the number of applicants | USD 230,000 |
| Approved Real Estate — Held for a minimum of five years; freehold property, hotel shares, fractional ownership or land | USD 300,000 |
| University of the West Indies Fund — For a family of at least six; processing fees included for the first six applicants, then USD 10,000 from the seventh onward | USD 260,000 |
Government fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Up to a family of four | USD 20,000 |
| Each additional applicant | USD 10,000 |
Due diligence fees
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | USD 8,500 |
| Spouse | USD 5,000 |
| Dependent child aged 12-17 | USD 2,000 |
| Dependents aged 18 and above | USD 4,000 |
Process & timeline
We prepare the file and settle an initial 10% of government processing fees along with due diligence and submission fees.
The authorities assess the application; on approval the remaining 90% of government fees is paid and the investment is made.
Citizenship certificates and passports are issued to the family.
The full journey typically averages around six months from submission.
Eligibility
- Main applicant must be over 18 years old
- Good character, with no refusal of entry by countries Antigua and Barbuda has visa-free arrangements with
- Good health, confirmed by a medical certificate
- A commitment to spend at least five days in the country within the first five years
- Spouse, children, parents, grandparents and siblings may be included
Required documents
All applicants
- Application forms AB1, AB2, AB3 (medical, with original HIV test results for applicants 12 and over) and the relevant passport form (L for 16+, M for under 16)
- Certified copies of all passports and identity documents
- Birth certificate with Apostille or MOFA attestation
- Ten original passport-sized photographs
- Police reports for every country lived in for at least one year over the past decade
- Proof of residential address
Main applicant
- Original bank reference letter no older than six months
- Twenty-four months of original bank statements
- Original professional reference and employment letter
- Marriage and divorce certificates with MOFA attestation where applicable
Married couples
- Marriage certificate with MOFA attestation
- Spouse's certified passport and identity documents
- Spouse's medical certificate including HIV test results
Frequently asked questions
Why is Antigua and Barbuda good for large families?
The University of the West Indies fund route is priced for households of six or more and even includes a tuition scholarship, which makes it one of the most economical choices for sizeable families.
Is there any requirement to spend time in the country?
Yes, a light one. Citizens must spend at least five days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first five years, with no language test required.
How long is the passport valid?
The passport is issued for five years initially and can then be renewed for a further ten years for applicants aged 18 and over.
What does the UWI scholarship cover?
Under the University fund option, one family member receives a one-year, tuition-only scholarship at the University of the West Indies.
How long does approval take?
Most applications complete within about six months from submission, moving through preparation, government evaluation and issuance.
Who can I include on my application?
You can add your spouse, children and their spouses, parents and grandparents, and siblings, subject to the programme's dependency rules.
Information last verified: 2026-10-29 · Official programme data
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