How much does Antigua and Barbuda citizenship cost in 2026

Three routes to a passport – and three different amounts

Antigua and Barbuda citizenship is granted for a contribution to the country's economy. This is called the CBI program (citizenship by investment). You choose one route and pay.

There are essentially three routes:

• Contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF) – money goes to the state without return. The simplest and most popular route.
• Contribution to the University of the West Indies (UWI) fund – also a contribution, but beneficial only for large families.
• Purchase of approved real estate – you buy a house or a share in a resort and hold it for 5 years. Afterward, you can sell it.

The amounts vary. The cheapest start is the NDF contribution. Next comes UWI. Most expensive is real estate. But each route has its own logic. Let's examine them one by one.

Important to note: fees will be added to any of these amounts. More on them – in a separate section below. For now, we're discussing the base investment.

Route 1. Contribution to the National Development Fund (NDF)

This is the most popular option. You make a contribution to the state fund. The money is not returned – it is payment for the passport, not an investment.

Minimum amount – from 230,000 USD. And here's what's nice: this amount covers the main applicant and up to three family members. That is, a family of 4 people pays the same 230,000 as one person.

If there are more than 4 people in the family, approximately 15,000 USD is added for each additional person.

Who this route suits:

• one person – no cheaper option;
• a couple – also profitable, same amount;
• a family of 3-4 people – ideal, no overpayment for relatives.

Sounds complicated? In practice, it's simple. You pay a fixed amount, pass verification, and receive a passport. We wrote more about the passport itself in a separate review of the Antigua passport.

Route 2. University of the West Indies (UWI) fund

This path was created for large families. The money goes to finance the University of the West Indies - a major university in the region.

Amount - from 260,000 USD. However, there is a condition: only a family can apply via this path of 6 people or more. It is not available for an individual or a couple.

What is the benefit? Calculate for yourself. Via the NDF path, a family of 6 would pay 230,000 plus approximately 15,000 for each person over four. This is around 260,000 and above. But via UWI exactly 260,000 for all six at once.

Plus a bonus: one family member receives one year of free tuition at the University of the West Indies (tuition only, excluding accommodation).

Suitable for:

• large families of 6 or more people;
• those who have a student or future student;
• parents who bring their children, grandmothers and grandfathers with them.

All details of this path are in the analysis of the university fund.

Path 3. Purchase of approved real estate

The third path is to buy real estate. Not just any, but from a list of state-approved projects. These are apartments, villas or shares in resorts.

Minimum amount - from 300,000 USD. The property must be held in ownership for approximately 5 years. After that you can sell it.

The main difference from contributions: this is not a permanent payment, but an investment. Money remains in assets. After 5 years, the real estate can be sold and the investment can be partially or fully recovered. Although no one guarantees the sale price - a market is a market.

Suitable for:

• those who want not just a passport, but an asset in the Caribbean;
• those who plan to rent out accommodation or come on vacation;
• investors ready to wait 5 years.

This path is more expensive than contributions at the start. But the money works, not disappears. Detailed analysis is in the article about real estate in Antigua for citizenship.

Comparison table: path - amount - who benefits

To have everything in view, we collected the paths into one table. Amounts are minimum, without additional fees.

Brief conclusion:

• An individual or couple - choose NDF. The cheapest option.
• Family of 6 or more people - consider UWI. Often turns out to be more profitable.
• Want an asset and money back - look at real estate.

One more point about family size. The NDF contribution does not increase up to 4 people. Therefore, per capita, a passport for a couple or family of 3-4 comes out noticeably cheaper than for a single applicant. This is a strong point of the Antigua program specifically.

The figures in the table are the base, minimum investment. Additional mandatory fees and duties always apply on top. We will break them down in detail in the next section. Do not consider the base contribution the final price - the actual bill is always higher.

Do you want an accurate calculation tailored to your family and situation? Write to us - we will calculate all amounts and fees for you, with no obligations or pressure.

What adds to the investment: fees and duties

The base amount is not the full cost. There are mandatory fees on top. Every pathway has them. Here are the main ones.

State processing fee. Approximately 30,000 USD for a family of up to 4 people. For each additional person - approximately 10,000 USD extra.

Due diligence check. The government checks each adult applicant. Approximate amounts:

• primary applicant - approximately 8,500 USD;
• spouse - approximately 5,000 USD;
• child aged 12-17 - approximately 2,000 USD;
• children under 12 - free;
• adult dependents - approximately 4,000 USD.

Passport fee - approximately 300 USD per person.

Plus minor expenses: oath fee, licensed agent services, document translation and certification. As a result, several tens of thousands of dollars are typically added to the base amount per family. The exact figure depends on family composition.

Calculation example: how much a passport will cost for a family of 4

Let's calculate with a real example. Family: husband, wife, and two children aged 10 and 14. They chose the NDF pathway.

• NDF fund contribution - 230,000 USD.
• State processing fee - approximately 30,000 USD.
• Due diligence: primary applicant 8,500 + spouse 5,000 + child aged 14 2,000 + child aged 10 0. Total approximately 15,500 USD.
• Passports - 4 × 300 = 1,200 USD.
• Agent services, translations, minor fees - estimated 10,000-20,000 USD.

Rough total - approximately 285 000-300 000 USD for the entire family.

This is an estimate. Exact figures depend on children's ages, presence of elderly parents, and current rates. Government amounts can change. That is why the final quote is always calculated individually before submission.

But the structure is clear. A family of 4 fits within approximately 285,000-300,000 USD all-in using the NDF pathway.

Which pathway is cheaper for your situation

The most common question - where to save. The answer depends on family composition. Let us review typical scenarios.

You are single. Definitely NDF. You pay 230,000 plus fees for one person. This is the minimum possible cost for an Antigua passport.

You and your spouse. Again NDF. The contribution amount is the same - 230,000. You only pay additional fees for the second person.

Family of 3-4 people. NDF remains the best option. The contribution does not increase up to 4 people. This is the most advantageous family size for this program.

Family of 5 people. Calculate both options. NDF - this is 230,000 plus approximately 15,000 for the fifth person. UWI is not yet available (requires 6 or more). Most likely NDF is more beneficial.

Family of 6 or more people. Compare NDF and UWI. UWI often wins, plus offers one year of study. This requires a precise calculation.

Real estate should not be chosen for savings, but for the asset value. The money works in it and returns after 5 years.

Who can be included in the application

Cost depends directly on how many people you bring with you. Good news - family is defined broadly.

You can usually include in the application:

• a spouse;
• children - including adult children, if they are studying or dependent on you;
• parents and grandparents - if age requirements are met;
• sometimes siblings - under certain conditions;

Each additional person adds their own share to the cost: verification fee, passport fee, and if exceeding the base composition - part of the investment or duty.

Therefore, before submitting, it is important to decide whom you want to become citizens immediately and whom you can add later. Adding a family member after obtaining a passport costs extra money and is sometimes more expensive than including them from the start.

The advice is simple: count the entire family at the start. This is almost always cheaper.

How long to wait and whether relocation is necessary.

Money is half the question. The second half is time and relocation. Here Antigua is flexible.

Processing timeline. - usually about 6-9 months. Sometimes longer due to backlogs. During all this time you can live peacefully at home.

Relocation is not required. You can submit documents remotely, through a licensed agent. Personal attendance at the submission stage is not required.

However, there is - a residency requirement:during the first 5 years after obtaining a passport, you must spend in the country a total of 5 days.Not five days per year - five days over five years combined. Essentially, this is one short trip.

Many combine these 5 days with taking an oath and vacationing on the islands. It becomes a holiday that also fulfills the formality.

So in terms of life impact, the program is almost weightless. You pay, wait half a year to a year, and come once.

What you get for this money.

It is logical to ask: what does a passport costing 230-300 thousand dollars ultimately give? Let us be .

Visa-free travel. Approximately 165 countries without a pre-arranged visa. Among them - the Schengen area, the United Kingdom, China, and many others. This is convenient for travel and business.

A second passport for life. Citizenship is granted for life and passed on to children. This is a backup plan for the entire family.

Tax flexibility. Antigua does not tax worldwide income. However, importantly: citizenship is not the same as tax residency. Where you pay taxes depends on where you actually live, not on your passport.

about limitations:

• this is not an EU passport - it does not grant the right to live and work in the European Union;
• visa-free entry to Schengen is for tourist trips up to 90 days, not relocation;
• from late 2026, ETIAS online registration will be required for Schengen - this is a simple formality, not a visa.

All the pros and cons for Russians we collected in a separate article on Antigua citizenship for Russian citizens..

Special considerations for Russian citizens.

If you have a Russian passport, the path to Antigua citizenship is open. But there are nuances we will mention right away.

Enhanced screening. Applicants from Russia are checked more strictly. This means more documents and more attention to the source of funds. Be prepared to explain where the investment funds come from.

Source of funds. Funds must be legal and transparent. Bank statements, contracts, and income documents will be required. This is a normal part of the process, not nitpicking.

No sanctions circumvention. Everything is strictly according to law. If a person is under sanctions, the program is unavailable to them. There are no workaround schemes, and no one will propose them.

Many countries permit dual citizenship, including the UK, the US, Canada and Russia; some, such as India, do not. Most major countries, including the UK, the US, Canada and Russia, allow a second passport. After obtaining it, you must notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs - usually within approximately 60 days. This is a notification, not a permission.

The cost is the same for every nationality. The price of background checks may increase additionally due to more thorough analysis. This is factored into the budget in advance.

Common mistakes in cost calculation.

People often count only the investment amount and then are surprised by the final bill. To help you avoid this trap, here are typical mistakes.

Mistake 1. Forgetting about fees. A contribution of 230,000 is not the final price. State fees, verification, and passports add tens of thousands. Factor them in from the start.

Mistake 2. Failing to account for all family members. Each person adds to the total amount. Calculate your entire family size in advance.

Mistake 3. Assuming real estate is free. Yes, the money is an asset. However, fees and duties on real estate purchases still apply—and they are substantial.

Mistake 4. Using figures from previous years. Thresholds change. In 2024, prices increased. Always verify current amounts before submission.

Mistake 5. Treating a passport as a tax haven. A passport alone does not change where you pay taxes. Your actual place of residence determines this.

Avoid all these mistakes simply—entrust the calculation to a specialist who manages this program daily.

Summary: How much money you actually need to prepare

We'll combine everything in one overview. Here are real budget benchmarks for 2026.

• One person, NDF route From 230,000 USD plus fees. Turnkey typically around 255,000–265,000 USD.
• Family of 4, NDF route From 230,000 USD contribution. Turnkey approximately 285,000–300,000 USD.
• Large family of 6+, UWI route From 260,000 USD contribution plus fees for all members.
• Real estate From 300,000 USD in assets plus fees. Part of the funds returns after 5 years.

Key takeaway: base amount and final invoice are different figures. Budget several tens of thousands additionally per family for fees.

Want an exact quote for your family composition and chosen route? We'll calculate everything to the dollar, suggest the most advantageous option, and guide you through the application. Learn more about the program on the Antigua and Barbuda citizenship page or contact us directly.

Expert commentary: where savings actually happen and where losses occur

Our specialist in Caribbean programs shares what's important to know about costs in practice.

A detailed insider perspective is in the section below.