Effective August 1, 2024, Antigua & Barbuda investment changes will implement new regulations for its Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Program.
The Caribbean nation has announced changes to its CBI program, including adjustments to dependent qualifications, the designation of alternate main applicants, and most notably, increased minimum investment amounts and fees.
These modifications align with a recent agreement among five Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) countries that operate similar programs. The original plan was to establish a uniform minimum investment of US$200,000 by June 30, 2024. However, Antigua and Barbuda secured an extension to finalize necessary legislative changes.
Minimum Investment Thresholds
The following minimum investment thresholds:
- Real Estate Investment US$300,000
- UWI Fund/Higher Education US$260,000 inclusive of processing fees
- National Development Fund US$230,000
- Investment in Business Unchanged (US$1.5M for a single investor US$5M for joint investments with no party Investing less than US$400,000)
Main Requirements in Antigua & Barbuda investment changes
- The amendment has expanded the definition of a dependent child to include biological or legally adopted children of the main applicant or their spouse up to 30 years of age.
- The unit removes the requirement for dependent children to prove financial dependence.
- The legislation now allows for the addition of a spouse of a dependent who marries after the application is approved, provided the dependent is not older than thirty-five (35) years of age at the time of applying to add the spouse of the dependent
- The amended regulations also introduce the option for a main applicant to designate an alternate main applicant at the time of application. The alternate must be at least 18 years old and have the authority to act on behalf of the main applicant in case of the main applicant’s death or incapacitation.
Amended Fees
Here are the amended processing, due diligence and other fees.
| Initial Submissions | |
| Number of Applicants | Fee |
| Single Applicant | US$10,000.00 |
| Family of up to Four Persons | US$20,000.00 |
| Family of more than Four Persons | US$20,000.00 plus US$10,000.00 per
additional member |
| Post Approval Additions | |
| Category | Fee |
| Dependant child aged 0- 5 years | US$10,000.00 |
| Dependant child aged 6 – 17 years | US$25,000.00 |
| Dependant aged 18 years and older | US$50,000.00 |
| Due Diligence Fees | |
| Category | Fee |
| Single Applicant | US$8,500.00 |
| Spouse | US$5,000.00 |
| Dependant child aged 0 – 11 years | FREE |
| Dependant child aged 12 – 17 years | US$2,000.00 |
| Dependant aged 18 years and older | US$4,000.00 |
| Benefactor | US$5,000.00 |
| Enhanced due diligence
(where a review is requested on a denied file) |
Double the due diligence fee |