--- title: "Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship · $1.5M own business 2026" url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/citizenship-investment-business-single/ lang: en updated: 2026-10-10 --- Antigua and Barbuda · Investing # Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship · $1.5M own business **Investment needed:** $1.5M+ Citizenship by Investment — sole investor in an approved business First checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/) - **Investment needed:** $1.5M+ (An investment of at least $1,500,000 · Minimum investment by the principal applicant in an approved existing or proposed business; transferred within 30 days of the approval letter. A fee of $10,000 · Government processing fee, single applicant; 10% payable on submission and the balance after approval. A fee of $20,000 · Government processing fee, family of up to 4; families of 5 or more pay US$10,000 more for each additional dependent from the 5th. A fee of $8,500 · Due diligence fee, principal applicant (non-refundable, paid on submission). A fee of $5,000 · Due diligence fee for a spouse. A fee of $2,000 · Due diligence fee per dependent child aged 12-17 (children 0-11: nil). A fee of $4,000 · Due diligence fee per dependent aged 18-30 or parent aged 55 and over. A fee of $300 · Passport fee per person.) - **Who can apply:** Any passport (Open to foreign nationals who pass due diligence; ineligibility grounds are listed in the requirements.) - **Work:** Needs permit (Citizenship confers full citizen rights, including work; no separate work permit applies.) ## Key facts Citizenship · $1.5M own business is an investing route for Antigua and Barbuda. Applicants need an investment of $1.5M+. Local work: with a permit. Checked 2026-10-10 against the official source. - **Money needed:** $1.5M+ - **Government fees:** $10k · +6 more ## Cost, time and long term To apply: 4 government fees listed below; investment $1.5M+. No lawyer or agent fee is included. **Government fees: $10k · +6 more** - $10,000 Government processing fee, single applicant; 10% payable on submission and the balance after approval. - $20,000 Government processing fee, family of up to 4; families of 5 or more pay US$10,000 more for each additional dependent from the 5th. - $8,500 Due diligence fee, principal applicant (non-refundable, paid on submission). - $300 Passport fee per person. - $5,000 Due diligence fee for a spouse. - $2,000 Due diligence fee per dependent child aged 12-17 (children 0-11: nil). - $4,000 Due diligence fee per dependent aged 18-30 or parent aged 55 and over. **Invested and held: $1.5M+** - $1,500,000 Minimum investment by the principal applicant in an approved existing or proposed business; transferred within 30 days of the approval letter. **Citizenship: Conditions** This route grants citizenship itself: approved applicants and the family members included are registered as citizens, then take the oath of allegiance on a first visit to Antigua and Barbuda or at one of its embassies, high commissions or consulates. [Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda](https://cip.gov.ag/investment-options/business-investment/) **Where to apply: Where to apply** Applications go through a licensed agent; the oath of allegiance can be taken on a first visit or at an embassy, high commission or consulate. [Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda](https://cip.gov.ag/investment-options/business-investment/) **Presence rules: Stay rule** Citizenship may be removed if the citizen spends fewer than 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda during the five calendar years after registration. [Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda](https://cip.gov.ag/citizenship/) ## Why this route may not fit Check this before you apply. - Working needs a separate permit ### What you'll need #### Who can apply - The business must be approved by Cabinet on the recommendation of the Citizenship by Investment Unit. - The primary applicant must be over 18. - Ineligible applicants include those with false information in the application. - Ineligible applicants include those with a conviction carrying a maximum custodial penalty above six months (without free pardon). - Ineligible applicants include those with a pending criminal investigation. - Ineligible applicants include those with a national-security or disrepute concern. - Ineligible applicants include those with a contagious-disease or serious-health finding. - Ineligible applicants include those with an unresolved visa denial by a visa-free partner country. #### What you must show and pay - **An investment of at least $1,500,000** · Minimum investment by the principal applicant in an approved existing or proposed business; transferred within 30 days of the approval letter. - **A fee of $10,000** · Government processing fee, single applicant; 10% payable on submission and the balance after approval. - **A fee of $20,000** · Government processing fee, family of up to 4; families of 5 or more pay US$10,000 more for each additional dependent from the 5th. - **A fee of $8,500** · Due diligence fee, principal applicant (non-refundable, paid on submission). - **A fee of $5,000** · Due diligence fee for a spouse. - **A fee of $2,000** · Due diligence fee per dependent child aged 12-17 (children 0-11: nil). - **A fee of $4,000** · Due diligence fee per dependent aged 18-30 or parent aged 55 and over. - **A fee of $300** · Passport fee per person. #### Steps 1. Approval comes before citizenship applications are considered. 2. Escrow terms are negotiated between the parties. 3. Apply through a licensed agent. 4. The applicant must pass due diligence. #### After you arrive - Citizenship may be removed if the citizen spends fewer than 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda during the five calendar years after registration. - The investment is not refunded on removal. ## When you become tax resident How Antigua and Barbuda decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records. - **Tax residence:** The IRD home page still lists personal income tax among the taxes it administers. - **Foreign-source income:** **No personal income tax** 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). [All tax rules for Antigua and Barbuda](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026 **Full official text** Citizenship for a principal applicant who invests alone in a business approved by Cabinet on the CIU recommendation. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4) #### What you must show and pay - An investment of at least $1,500,000 · Minimum investment by the principal applicant in an approved existing or proposed business; transferred within 30 days of the approval letter. (sources 1, 3) - A fee of $10,000 · Government processing fee, single applicant; 10% payable on submission and the balance after approval. (sources 1, 3) - A fee of $20,000 · Government processing fee, family of up to 4; families of 5 or more pay US$10,000 more for each additional dependent from the 5th. (sources 1, 3) - A fee of $8,500 · Due diligence fee, principal applicant (non-refundable, paid on submission). (source 3) - A fee of $5,000 · Due diligence fee for a spouse. (source 3) - A fee of $2,000 · Due diligence fee per dependent child aged 12-17 (children 0-11: nil). (source 3) - A fee of $4,000 · Due diligence fee per dependent aged 18-30 or parent aged 55 and over. (source 3) - A fee of $300 · Passport fee per person. (source 3) #### Requirements - The business must be approved by Cabinet on the recommendation of the Citizenship by Investment Unit. (source 1) - The primary applicant must be over 18. (source 2) - Ineligible applicants include those with false information in the application. (source 2) - Ineligible applicants include those with a conviction carrying a maximum custodial penalty above six months (without free pardon). (source 2) - Ineligible applicants include those with a pending criminal investigation. (source 2) - Ineligible applicants include those with a national-security or disrepute concern. (source 2) - Ineligible applicants include those with a contagious-disease or serious-health finding. (source 2) - Ineligible applicants include those with an unresolved visa denial by a visa-free partner country. (source 2) - Approval comes before citizenship applications are considered. (source 1) - Escrow terms are negotiated between the parties. (source 1) - Apply through a licensed agent. (source 2) - The applicant must pass due diligence. (source 2) - Citizenship may be removed if the citizen spends fewer than 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda during the five calendar years after registration. (source 2) - The investment is not refunded on removal. (source 2) #### Stay - Permanent citizenship; no time-limited visa stay. A certificate of registration is issued, then the passport; the oath can be taken on first visit or at a consulate. #### Nationality Open to foreign nationals who pass due diligence; ineligibility grounds are listed in the requirements. #### Work Citizenship confers full citizen rights, including work; no separate work permit applies. #### Family Spouse, dependent children aged 0-30, dependent parents and grandparents aged 55 and over, and unmarried siblings can be included; the primary applicant pays per-person processing and due diligence fees. Checked 2026-10-10 ## Official sources 1. [Business Investment option](https://cip.gov.ag/investment-options/business-investment/) · Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Citizenship: legislation, options, ineligibility, deprivation](https://cip.gov.ag/citizenship/) · Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Schedule of Fees](https://cip.gov.ag/schedule-of-fees/) · Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda · checked 2026-10-12 4. [Dependants](https://cip.gov.ag/citizenship/dependants/) · Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda · checked 2026-10-10 ## Citizenship · $1.5M own business and its alternatives | Route | Money needed | Stay | Work | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Citizenship · $1.5M own business | Needs an investment of $1.5M+ | – | With a permit | | [Citizenship · $300k property](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/citizenship-investment-real-estate/) | Needs an investment of $300k+ | – | With a permit | | [Citizenship · NDF $230k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/citizenship-investment-ndf/) | Needs an investment of $230k+ | – | With a permit | | [Citizenship · UWI Fund $260k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/citizenship-investment-uwi-fund/) | Needs an investment of $260k+ | – | With a permit | | [Citizenship · $5M joint business](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/citizenship-investment-business-joint/) | Needs an investment of $400k+ | – | With a permit | ## Questions people ask ### How much money do I need for the Citizenship · $1.5M own business? An investment of at least $1,500,000. Minimum investment by the principal applicant in an approved existing or proposed business; transferred within 30 days of the approval letter. A fee of $10,000. Government processing fee, single applicant; 10% payable on submission and the balance after approval. A fee of $20,000. Government processing fee, family of up to 4; families of 5 or more pay US$10,000 more for each additional dependent from the 5th. A fee of $8,500. Due diligence fee, principal applicant (non-refundable, paid on submission). ### How long can I stay on the Citizenship · $1.5M own business? Permanent citizenship; no time-limited visa stay. ### Can I work on the Citizenship · $1.5M own business? With a permit. Citizenship confers full citizen rights, including work; no separate work permit applies. ### Can I bring my family on the Citizenship · $1.5M own business? Spouse, dependent children aged 0-30, dependent parents and grandparents aged 55 and over, and unmarried siblings can be included; the primary applicant pays per-person processing and due diligence fees. ### How are Citizenship · $1.5M own business holders taxed in Antigua and Barbuda? No special regime in our records is tied to the Citizenship · $1.5M own business. The standard rules apply: 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. ## More in Antigua and Barbuda [Work permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/work-permit/) [Student permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/antigua-and-barbuda/student-permit/) ## Investment visas elsewhere [🇲🇽 Investor residence](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/mexico/temporary-resident-investor/) [🇨🇴 Investor M · Company stake](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/colombia/m-investor-fdi/) [🇨🇷 Investor residence · $200k](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/costa-rica/temporary-investor/) [🇧🇷 Investor · R$500k in a company](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/brazil/investor-company/) [🇺🇸 E-2 Treaty Investor](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-states/e2-treaty-investor/) [🇵🇦 Qualified Investor · Deposit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/panama/qualified-investor-fixed-deposit/) ≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated. ## How this was checked **Checked on 2026-10-10 against 4 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources. Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out. 1. [Business Investment option](https://cip.gov.ag/investment-options/business-investment/) · Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda · checked 2026-10-10 2. [Citizenship: legislation, options, ineligibility, deprivation](https://cip.gov.ag/citizenship/) · Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda · checked 2026-10-10 3. [Schedule of Fees](https://cip.gov.ag/schedule-of-fees/) · Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda · checked 2026-10-12 4. [Dependants](https://cip.gov.ag/citizenship/dependants/) · Citizenship by Investment Unit, Antigua and Barbuda · checked 2026-10-10 Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.