Questions with Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment

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The following are official answers provided by CIU Government of Antigua with the citizen by investment program for prospective applicants.

Can a name be changed on a passport after it has been issued?

A change can only be effected after first five years upon renewal.

What fees are required to add newborn to application before approval?

No fees to add newborn to application before approval. If application was for family of four, and baby is fifth then additional processing fee will apply.

Are persons required to renounce their previous citizenship to apply for citizenship of Antigua and Barbuda?

Renunciation is not required. Antigua an Barbuda allows dual citizenship

How are oaths taken?

The swearing or affirmation of Oath of allegiance to antigua and barbuda may be done remotely until Jun 30, 2023 (waiver extension) Please refer to the guidance circulated to ensure conformity with legislation.

What is the eligibility to apply for UWI fund option?

Only family of six or more applications will be eligible for UWI. For a family of 6: US$ 150,000 contribution and Processing fees: US$ 15,000 from the seventh additional dependent onwards.

Why does Antigua & Barbuda have a citizenship by investment programme? 

The programme was introduced to promote economic growth, attract real estate development, increase foreign direct investment to the country, support the development of infrastructure and provide for a sustainable future. 

How many visa-free countries can I travel to as a citizen of Antigua & Barbuda? You can travel to 165 jurisdictions without requiring a visa, including the EU and Schengen countries, Hong Kong and Singapore. 

What is the processing time? 

Processing your application should take from 3 to 6 months. 

Who can apply for citizenship? 

To apply for the citizenship programme in Antigua & Barbuda, you must be at least 18 years of age, be of a good character with no criminal record, and have good health. 

Do I need to speak English to apply for citizenship?

You don’t need to speak English to be an applicant. 

Who can be included on the application?

Your dependent children under 28 and dependent parents over 58 can be included within the application.

For how many years will my passport be valid for? 

The passport will be valid for a period of 5 years and is renewable for a period of 10 years thereafter, provided that the requirements are met, which includes spending a minimum of five days in the country during this period after becoming a citizen. 

In addition to the citizenship by investment programme does Antigua & Barbuda have a tax residency programme?

Antigua & Barbuda does not currently offer a tax residency programme. 

What happens once my application has been accepted?

A certificate of registration of citizenship will be issued and submitted to the passport office. Your authorised agent/representative will forward your passports and Citizenship Certificate to you. 

Are there any discounts?

No discounts are officially supported by the government in any form under donation or real estate.

Do I need to travel to Antigua & Barbuda to complete the process?

The application process can be made from your country of residence. Once your application is successful and you have received your passport, you must travel to Antigua & Barbuda to take your oath or affirmation of allegiance. You are entitled to take up full-time residence in Antigua & Barbuda at any time you wish.

How do you conduct the due diligence and vetting of applicants?

There are no interviews. However, all applicants undergo rigorous screening prior to consideration by the Citizenship by Investment Unit. Complete files will be forwarded to an international, unbiased thirdparty due diligence service provider who will conduct detailed background checks on all applicants before the application is approved.

Prabhu Balakrishnan

Prabhu Balakrishnan

Founder and CEO of Best Citizenships

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