Moving to Antigua and Barbuda
8 ways to move to Antigua and Barbuda in our guide: 5 investor routes, 1 work visa, 1 student visa, 1 spouse visa.
No digital nomad visa. Smallest investment: Citizenship · NDF $230k, $230k+. Tax for newcomers: Antigua and Barbuda: no personal income tax, No personal income tax. Checked against official sources on .
Antigua and Barbuda offers a few distinct paths for people who want to live, work or settle here. Visas and tax are handled separately.
Investing · 5
Citizenship
Investment needed: from $230k
Work · 1
Student · 1
Student permit
First stay: 1 yr
Spouse visas · 1
For people married to, or in a partnership with, a citizen or permanent resident.
Spouse of a citizen
First stay: 3 yrs
Free movement and visa-free stays · 1
CARICOM free movement · Lets you live here
Open to 11 passports: Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, VC.
Tax
Antigua and Barbuda abolished personal income tax, so employment, investment and other foreign-source income of individuals is not subject to a personal income tax. Self-employed and partnership business income is instead taxed under the Unincorporated Business Tax, with a lower rate on the first part of net income and higher rates above that. There is no personal income tax residence test, and UBT registration depends on carrying on an unincorporated business.
Standard rules
Unincorporated Business Tax (self-employed and partnerships)
Details
- On: Net business income (sales minus business expenses)
- Who: Sole proprietorships, partnerships and other unincorporated businesses
- Limit: XCD 42k/yr ≈ $16k
Self-employed business income is taxed on net income at 0% up to EC$42,000, 8% to EC$186,000 and 25% above for a sole trader.
Taxed on
Net business income (sales minus business expenses)
Who it applies to
- Sole proprietorships, partnerships and other unincorporated businesses; non-nationals register with a self-employed work permit.
Exclusions
- Personal domestic expenses are not deductible.
Limits
- XCD 42,000 a year (≈ $15,600) · Sole trader chargeable income taxed at 0% up to this amount; 8% from EC$42,001 to EC$186,000; 25% above EC$186,000.
Visas
Self-employed foreigners need a self-employed work permit to register.
Other taxes
Non-resident owners of Antigua rental property pay 12.5% withholding on rental income. Annual registration fee is EC$0 to EC$400 by gross income. ABST registration is required at taxable turnover of EC$300,000.
Checked against official sources on , some details partly verifiedChange log
Standard rules
Personal income tax status
Details
- On: Employment and other personal income
Personal income tax applied from April 2005 to June 2016 and was then repealed; self-employed income is taxed under the Unincorporated Business Tax from 1 July 2016.
Taxed on
Employment and other personal income
Tax residence
The IRD home page still lists personal income tax among the taxes it administers.
Visas
Citizenship by investment and the Nomad Digital Residence authorisation do not set tax residence; no tax relief is attached to either.
Checked against official sources on , some details partly verifiedChange log
Standard rules
Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax (ABST)
15% tax
Details
- On: Selling price of goods and services
- Limit: XCD 300k/yr ≈ $111k
ABST is a value-added tax at a 15% standard rate on goods and services; registration is required at taxable turnover of EC$300,000.
Taxed on
Selling price of goods and services
Exclusions
- Financial services, medical services, prescription medicines, educational services and local transport are exempt.
Limits
- XCD 300,000 a year (≈ $111,000) · Annual taxable turnover requiring ABST registration.
Checked against official sources on , some details partly verifiedChange log
Standard rules
Antigua and Barbuda: no personal income tax
No personal income tax
Details
- On: No personal income tax on employment or investment income
- Limit: XCD 42k/yr ≈ $16k
Antigua and Barbuda abolished personal income tax in 2016 (2026 Budget Statement), so employment, investment and other foreign-source income of individuals is not subject to a personal income tax; self-employed and partnership business income is instead taxed under the Unincorporated Business Tax, with 0% on the first XCD 42,000 (≈ $15,600) for a sole trader, 8% from XCD 42,001 (≈ $15,600) to 186,000 and 25% above XCD 186,000 (≈ $68,900).
Taxed on
No personal income tax on employment or investment income. Unincorporated Business Tax applies to self-employed business income from sole proprietorships, partnerships and other unincorporated businesses.
Who it applies to
- Individuals without an unincorporated business are not subject to a personal income tax.
Exclusions
- Unincorporated business income (sole traders, partnerships) is taxable under UBT.
- Corporations pay corporation tax, and the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax, property tax and other levies apply.
Limits
- XCD 42,000 a year (≈ $15,600) · Sole trader UBT chargeable-income band taxed at 0%; 8% applies from 42,001 to 186,000 and 25% above 186,000
- XCD 186,000 a year (≈ $68,900) · Sole trader UBT chargeable income above this amount is taxed at 25%
Tax residence
No personal income tax residence test applies; UBT registration depends on carrying on an unincorporated business.
Visas
Citizenship by investment or residence status does not change the absence of personal income tax; UBT applies to those who carry on business in the country.
Other taxes
The Inland Revenue Department administers the Antigua and Barbuda Sales Tax, Unincorporated Business Tax, corporation tax, property tax and entertainment tax.
Checked against official sources on Change log
Checked against official sources on Change log
Antigua and Barbuda in pictures
Arriving in Antigua and Barbuda: first steps
- Arrange medical insurance for the whole period you are allowed to stay, as it is required for the Nomad Digital Residence and student permit routes.
- Keep your passport and bio page, police clearance for each applicant over sixteen, and proof of relationship for dependants ready for the application.
- If you are on a work permit, remember it does not make you a resident; apply separately to the Immigration Department for an extension of stay.
- Students must have the student permit approved before arrival and cannot switch to student status in the country.
- For citizenship routes, apply through a licensed agent and be ready for due diligence checks on the primary applicant and family members.
- If you carry on an unincorporated business, look into Unincorporated Business Tax registration with the Inland Revenue Department.
Questions people ask
How much do you need to invest for residency in Antigua and Barbuda?
Antigua and Barbuda has 5 investor routes. Citizenship · $300k property asks for an investment of at least $300,000. Citizenship · NDF $230k asks for an investment of at least $230,000. Citizenship · UWI Fund $260k asks for an investment of at least $260,000.
What work visas does Antigua and Barbuda offer foreigners?
Antigua and Barbuda has 1 work visa. It is Work permit.
How do I get a student visa for Antigua and Barbuda?
Antigua and Barbuda has 1 student visa. Student permit gives a first stay of 1 year that can be renewed.
Can I join my spouse or partner in Antigua and Barbuda?
Yes. Antigua and Barbuda has 1 spouse visa. Spouse of a citizen gives a first stay of 3 years that can be renewed.
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≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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