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Citizenship by Investment
Antigua & Barbuda offers four citizenship-by-investment routes: a USD 230,000 National Development Fund contribution (the same for any family size), the University of the West Indies Fund, approved real estate from USD 300,000, or business investment from USD 1.5 million. The passport is visa-free to the UK with an ETA; US entry is partially suspended under Proclamation 10998.
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About Antigua & Barbudaنبذة
The Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programme offers four routes: a USD 230,000 contribution to the National Development Fund (the same amount whatever the family size), a USD 260,000 contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund for a family of six or more, approved real estate from USD 300,000 held for five years, or a business investment of USD 1.5 million as a sole investor (or a USD 5 million joint investment with at least USD 400,000 per investor). Citizens must spend at least five days in Antigua & Barbuda during the first five calendar years after citizenship and take an oath or affirmation of allegiance. The passport is visa-free to the UK with an ETA, but US entry has been partially suspended under Presidential Proclamation 10998 since 1 January 2026, and Canada requires a visitor visa. The Citizenship by Investment Unit does not publish a processing standard; timelines vary by case.
Visa-free to the UK with an ETA; Schengen visa-free access currently in place, subject to the EU's revised visa suspension mechanism.
US entry partially suspended for Antiguan nationals under Proclamation 10998 since 1 January 2026; existing valid visas continue to be honoured.
Residency requirement: at least 5 days in Antigua & Barbuda within the first 5 years after citizenship.
Four investment routes: National Development Fund (USD 230,000), University of the West Indies Fund (USD 260,000, families of six or more), approved real estate (USD 300,000) or business investment (USD 1.5 million as a sole investor).
Family-friendly: spouse, children up to 30 if financially dependent, parents aged 55 and over, and unmarried siblings.
No tax on worldwide income, inheritance, capital gains or wealth, making Antigua & Barbuda a tax-efficient jurisdiction.
Antigua & Barbuda at a glance
Population
95000
Capital
St. John's
Language
English
Currency
XCD (East Caribbean Dollar)
Time zone
Atlantic Standard Time
Climate
Tropical; warm, sunny, and breezy year-round
Citizenship routesالمسارات
In detailالتفاصيل
Advising UAE residents on second citizenship from our Dubai office.
The five Eastern Caribbean programmes compared
| Antigua & Barbuda | Dominica | Grenada | Saint Lucia | St Kitts & Nevis | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donation, single | USD 230,000 | USD 200,000 | USD 150,000 | USD 240,000 | USD 250,000 |
| Real estate from | USD 300,000 | USD 200,000 | USD 220,000 | USD 300,000 | USD 325,000 |
| Holding period | 5 years | 3 years | Confirmed per project | Confirmed per project | 7 years |
| US E-2 treaty | No | No | Yes | No | No |
| UK | Visa-free + ETA | Visa required | Visa-free + ETA | Visa required | Visa-free + ETA |
| US entry | Partly suspended | Partly suspended | Normal | Normal | Normal |
| Canada | Visa | Visa | Visa | Visa | Visa |
| Residency after grant | 5 days in 5 years | None | None (per CIU) | None | None |
What the table shows
Grenada is the only one of the five that is simultaneously a US E-2 treaty country, free of any US entry restriction, and still visa-free to the UK. If the United States is your objective, that is the deciding factor. Whether an individual qualifies for an E-2 visa is decided by US consular officers.
Dominica and Saint Lucia have both lost UK visa-free access — Dominica in July 2023, Saint Lucia in March 2026, both expressly because of their citizenship programmes.
Antigua and Dominica are both under US Presidential Proclamation 10998 since 1 January 2026, which suspends immigrant entry and the B, F, M and J categories.
No Caribbean citizenship-by-investment passport gives visa-free entry to the United States.
Passport-power rankings
Headline counts of visa-free destinations are compiled annually and change quickly, as the UK changes above show. XIPHIAS advises on the specific destinations that matter to your family, checked at the time you apply.
What this does to an Indian passport
India does not allow dual citizenship. Section 9(1) of the Citizenship Act 1955 provides that a citizen of India who voluntarily acquires the citizenship of another country ceases to be a citizen of India. Acquiring any Caribbean citizenship is voluntary, so your Indian citizenship ends automatically on the day it is granted — no Indian decision, no discretion, no deferral. The Indian passport must be surrendered and a Surrender Certificate obtained.
You can then apply for Overseas Citizen of India status. The Ministry of External Affairs states plainly that OCI is not dual citizenship: no vote, no constitutional posts, no equality in public employment, and no acquisition of agricultural land, farmhouses or plantation property in India.
This is a replacement for your Indian citizenship, not an addition. Plan around that.
Talk to a second citizenship consultant in Dubai
XIPHIAS Immigration has advised families on Caribbean citizenship since 2009, and our Dubai team works with UAE residents. We were named Best Immigration Consultant by The Times of India in 2022. Our immigration consultants in Dubai will take you through the current requirements, costs and travel access.
Sources
- US Department of State — treaty countries (Grenada E-2, in force 3 March 1989)
- UK Government — check if you need a UK visa
- UK Government — electronic travel authorisation (ETA)
- Federal Register — Presidential Proclamation 10998 (16 December 2025, effective 1 January 2026)
- Government of Canada — find out if you need a visa
- Citizenship Act 1955, Section 9(1) — Government of India
- Government of India — passport surrender certificate
- Ministry of External Affairs — Overseas Citizenship of India scheme
- OECS — regional CBI standards
Verified against government sources on 30 September 2026. Travel access changes without notice — confirm before booking.
The processكيف نعمل
Consult with XIPHIAS to assess eligibility and select the best investment route (National Development Fund, UWI Fund, approved real estate or business investment).
Prepare all required documents, including medical records, notarised agreements and proof of funds; undergo due diligence and, if requested, an interview.
Submit the application through XIPHIAS to the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) for review and approval in principle.
Complete the selected investment upon approval in principle.
Take the oath or affirmation of allegiance, receive your certificate of citizenship and apply for your Antigua & Barbuda passport.
Eligibilityالمتطلبات
What it takes to qualify.
Minimum age: 18 years to qualify for Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment (CBI).
Clean criminal record and verifiable source of funds.
Completion of investment via the National Development Fund, UWI Fund, approved real estate or business route.
Valid travel documents, medical certificates, and health declarations.
Full compliance with nationality, legal, and sanction requirements.
Citizens must spend at least 5 days in Antigua & Barbuda within the first 5 years after citizenship.
Questionsأسئلة شائعة
Antigua & Barbuda, answered.
The Citizenship by Investment Unit does not publish a processing standard; timelines vary by case, document completeness and due diligence. XIPHIAS confirms the expected timeline for your file before submission.
Free 15-minute call
Talk it through with our Dubai team.
Leave your name and number and an advisor will call you about Citizenship by Investment in Antigua & Barbuda: whether you qualify, the real costs and the timeline.
ابدأ الآن
Begin your Antigua & Barbuda application.
A senior advisor will map your route, costs and timeline — privately, and entirely off the record.