The Discreet Investor
Citizenship by investment
Antigua & Barbuda
A beach for every day of the year — and the best economics for large families in the Caribbean: one contribution covers the household, with a dedicated university fund for families of six or more.
Why investors choose it
5 benefits of Antigua & Barbuda citizenship
Built for families
The NDF covers a family of 4 at $230,000, and the University of the West Indies fund takes families of 6+ — including a one-year tuition scholarship for one member.
Global mobility
150+ destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival, including the Schengen states, the UK, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Returnable real estate
Approved property from $300,000 can be resold after 5 years, with rental yields from tourist stock meanwhile.
Tax optimisation
No tax on personal income, inheritance or capital gains — a clean personal tax base an hour from Miami by air corridor.
Three generations
Spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 55, and siblings — one of the widest family definitions in the region.
One investment, citizenship for all
Three generations on one application
The spouse, children, senior parents and grandparents — and siblings — obtain citizenship together with the investor.
Investor
- Over 18
- No criminal record
- Income of legal, provable origin
Spouse
- No criminal record
Children under 18
- Included without further conditions
Children 18–30
- Fully financially dependent on the investor
Parents & grandparents
- Over 55
- Fully financially dependent
Siblings
- Of the investor or spouse
- Unmarried
Investment options
Four ways to qualify
Two contribution funds, a returnable property purchase, or a substantial business investment.
National Development Fund (NDF)
The workhorse option: one contribution covering a family of up to four, financing public projects across the twin islands.
| Contribution | $230,000 for a family of up to 4 · supplements per additional dependant |
| Due Diligence | Per applicant over 12 |
| Government fees | Processing and passport fees per applicant |
University of the West Indies Fund
For families of six or more: one contribution, and one family member receives a one-year tuition-only scholarship at UWI Five Islands.
| Contribution | $260,000 for a family of 6 · supplements per additional dependant |
Approved real estate
A stake in government-approved tourist developments — resale after 5 years, rental income while you hold.
| Purchase | $300,000+ in an approved project |
| Government fee | Per family composition |
| Other fees | Due Diligence, processing and passport — as above |
Business investment
A direct investment in an approved business ($1.5M solo, or $5M jointly with each investor at $400,000+) — for applicants who want operating assets, not paper.
Government fees (Due Diligence, processing, passports) come on top and depend on family composition — request the exact, personalised calculation on a free call.
Caribbean programmes side by side
How Antigua & Barbuda compares
The five Caribbean citizenship-by-investment programmes, one table. Click any column to read the full page.
| Terms | Antigua & Barbuda |  Grenada |  St Kitts & Nevis |  Dominica |  St Lucia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment | $230,000+ | $235,000+ | $250,000+ | $200,000+ | $240,000+ |
| Obtaining period | 6+ months | 8+ months | 4+ months | 6+ months | 6+ months |
| Visit requirements | 5 days within first 5 years | No | Biometrics + passport collection | No | No |
| Investment return | 5 years (real estate) | 5 years (real estate) | 7 years (real estate) | 3–5 years (real estate) | 5 years (bonds) |
| First passport validity | 5 years | 10 years | 5 years | 10 years | 5 years |
| Family eligibility | Spouse, children under 30, parents & grandparents over 55, siblings | Spouse, children under 30, parents & grandparents, siblings over 18 | Spouse, children under 25, parents over 55 | Spouse, children under 30, parents & grandparents over 65 | Spouse, children under 30, parents over 55, siblings under 18 |
Procedure
Five steps to the passport
Remote until the very end — with one famous exception: 5 days on the islands within the first 5 years to take the oath and keep the passport valid.
Preliminary check 1 day
Our compliance side screens you against the same databases the CIU uses — confidentially, on a passport copy alone.
Document preparation 2–4 weeks
Lawyers assemble the file — passports, certificates, statements — complete the forms, and submit to the Citizenship by Investment Unit.
Due Diligence & processing 3–5 months
The CIU vets every family member over 12; an interview is part of the standard process.
Approval & investment 2–4 weeks
On approval — and only then — you fulfil the investment: the fund contribution, the property completion, or the business tranche.
Passport & the 5-day visit 2–4 weeks
Passports are issued and couriered. Then the only physical requirement in the Caribbean: spend 5 days in Antigua within 5 years and take the oath — most clients pair it with a holiday.
FAQ
About Antigua & Barbuda citizenship
What is the 5-day visit requirement? +
Unique among the Caribbean programmes: new citizens must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 years and take the oath of allegiance there. Skip it and the passport is not renewed. With 365 beaches, compliance is not usually the hard part.
Why is Antigua best for large families? +
The maths: the NDF covers four people at $230,000, and the UWI fund takes six people at $260,000 — roughly $43,000 a head, with a one-year university scholarship thrown in. No other Caribbean programme prices a big household lower.
Can the investment be returned? +
On the real-estate route, yes: hold the approved property 5 years, then sell, earning rental income meanwhile. The NDF and UWI contributions are non-refundable by design.
Is dual citizenship allowed? +
Yes — Antigua and Barbuda places no restrictions on other passports, and citizenship is hereditary.
Other second citizenship options
Alternatives to Antigua & Barbuda
St Kitts & Nevis
- The world's oldest programme
- 10-year US visitor visa path
- Fastest obtaining period
Dominica
- Lowest Caribbean entry price
- 140+ visa-free destinations
- RE exit from just 3 years
Vanuatu
- Fastest established programme
- Partial recovery after 5 years
- 20-year corporate tax holiday
Schedule a free consultation
Let's match you with the right expert
Four quick questions, one minute of your time. A specialist replies within one business day with a personalised calculation and plan.
What's your main goal?
Pick the closest fit
Visa-free travel
A stronger travel document
Plan B / safety net
A second status for the family
Tax optimisation
A friendlier tax base
Business & banking
Accounts, markets, mobility
Preferred investment route?
Select all that apply
Contribution / donation
The simplest path
Real estate or deposit
A returnable asset
Advise me
I'd like expert guidance
Who's applying with you?
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Just me
Single applicant
Spouse & children
The immediate family
Parents / relatives
Where the programme allows
Where should we send your calculation?
A specialist replies within one business day
365 beaches. One family application.
Antigua and Barbuda citizenship from $230,000 in 6+ months: the best per-head economics for large families, Schengen and UK visa-free, zero personal income tax — three generations on one file. Free consultation, reply within one business day.
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