Antigua & Barbuda in 2026: who it suits and how the process works

How the program works

What it costs

$230,000 is the contribution itself. On top of it come mandatory payments for processing the application, due diligence and issuing the documents: their size depends on who is in the family and how old they are (children under 11, for example, pay nothing for due diligence). We will calculate the exact figure for your family during a free consultation. If the application is refused, service fees are not returned.

Who can be included in the application

The main applicant must be over 18, with a confirmed legal source of funds and no criminal record. The application also covers:

• a spouse;
• children under 30 (from 18 to 30 — if they are financially dependent on the applicant; in case of disability there is no age limit);
• financially dependent parents and grandparents aged 55 and over;
• unmarried siblings of the applicant or the spouse.

The family can be extended after citizenship is granted: a future spouse and children are added for a separate contribution.

For citizens of some countries the option to apply is restricted. Ask at the consultation: we will tell you whether you can apply and suggest alternatives.

How the process works

1. Agreement with an agent and collecting the file — 2–6 weeks: translations, apostilles, police clearance certificates, bank confirmations.
2. Filing the application and paying the fees.
3. Due diligence and the interview. The interview is mandatory for all applicants aged 16 and over — online or in person.
4. Approval — the investment is made after it.
5. Certificate of citizenship and passport — another 2–4 weeks; you do not have to fly to the island, the documents are issued through consulates.

The official processing guideline is 3–6 months; in practice, filing to passport takes 6–9 months.

The first passport is issued for 5 years. To renew it you have to spend at least 5 days in Antigua during those 5 years.

What the passport gives you

Mobility. Visa-free travel to 154 countries: the Schengen area (90 days per half-year), the United Kingdom (up to 180 days, an electronic authorization is required), Hong Kong, Singapore, China. From the end of 2026, a mandatory €20 fee is planned for visits to Schengen countries.

Taxes. There is no income tax in Antigua: salary, dividends, interest, capital gains and inheritance are not taxed. One thing to be clear about: a passport is not tax residency. You become a tax resident by living on the island at least 183 days a year, and tax obligations in the country where you actually live do not disappear on their own.

Status. Citizenship is for life and passes to your heirs; dual citizenship is allowed. Plus simplified residence and work in a number of Caribbean Community countries.

The United States: what matters

Caribbean passports have never had visa-free entry to the United States. Since January 1, 2026, new US visas — tourist, student and immigrant — have not been issued to citizens of Antigua. Visas issued earlier remain valid; talks on lifting the restrictions are under way.

The E-2 investor visa is not available on an Antigua passport; among the Caribbean programs, only Grenada gives access to it.

Downsides and risks

1. The United States: new visas are not currently issued to citizens of Antigua (see above).
2. The general trend toward visa restrictions. Both the US and the European Union have been rethinking their attitude to golden passports in recent years. This applies to every Caribbean program, not only Antigua.
3. The program's terms change. In summer 2024 the minimum contribution rose from $100,000 to $230,000; an increase in the minimum presence requirement on the island is under discussion.
4. Passport renewal. After the first 5 years, renewal requires a minimum presence in the country — currently 5 days.
5. Island realities: hurricane season from June to November, expensive imports, healthcare that is not built for emergencies and serious cases.

Who it suits, and who it does not

It suits: families of four or more — this is the best whole-family price in the Caribbean (a single contribution for up to four people, the university option for large families, no service fees for children under 11); those who need a plan B and mobility without an obligation to live on the island; entrepreneurs with international income who are ready for a real move for the sake of a jurisdiction with no income tax.

It does not suit: those whose goal is the United States; those who expect the passport to give them the right to live in Europe. If you are considering the real estate option, we will help you choose a project: some of the approved ones really do produce income.

What's next

If you want to try the Antigua program against your own family, its size, budget and goals, book a free Migronis consultation: migronis.com/consultation. We will go through your case and tell you whether Antigua fits or whether it is better to look at neighboring programs.