Citizenship & passport
After approval and registration, citizenship documentation and a passport are processed through official procedures.
THE PROGRAMME
A citizenship plan.
A family perspective
The National Development Fund (NDF) route combines a statutory contribution with eligibility checks and due diligence for applicants and qualifying family members.
Family applications
A spouse, qualifying children, parents, grandparents and unmarried siblings may be included under the applicable rules.
A contribution route
The NDF is a one-off donation route with no property purchase. The contribution is non-refundable and does not create a personal asset.
The programme is moving into the regional framework of the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA). Rules may change; commencement and transitional arrangements follow applicable legislation and official notices.
NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND
National Development Fund
A contribution with separately itemised government and professional fees.
01 / NDF
National Development Fund
Minimum per applicationUS$230,000
A one-off contribution supporting national development in Antigua and Barbuda.
- Family
- Eligible dependants may join the application; government fees depend on family size and ages.
- Timing
- After the approval letter, pay the designated government fund under official instructions.
- Nature
- A non-refundable donation, with no property holding or investment exit arrangement.
Payment stages
Pay due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fee at submission. After approval, pay the balance, passport fees and contribution. The contribution must be paid by the deadline stated in the approval letter.
The contribution threshold is not the total application cost.
This page covers the NDF route. All amounts are in US dollars. Government, due diligence and professional fees are additional.
ELIGIBILITY & FAMILY
Applicants &
family members
Relationship, age, financial dependency and personal background are assessed together.
Main applicant
At least 18 years old, with identity, source-of-funds and supporting documentation for the official assessment.
Spouse & children
A spouse; financially dependent children aged 0 to 30. Children aged 18 or older with qualifying physical or mental disabilities who live with and are fully supported by the main applicant may also qualify.
Parents, grandparents & siblings
Parents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse who are at least 55 and financially dependent on the main applicant; unmarried siblings of either spouse. Regulation 3 of the 2024 amendments, substituted dependant definition (a)(v) to (vii), also covers fully supported, physically or mentally incapacitated parents or grandparents at any age, and requires parental or guardian consent for siblings under 18.
Background & documentation
Each family member is assessed. Nationality, residence, visa refusals and other relevant records must be disclosed; the licensed agent confirms applicable restrictions and evidence.
APPLICATION & SUPPORT
The application.
Ongoing coordination
The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) reviews applications and conducts due diligence through the following stages.
- 01
Assessment & preparation
Conatus Mobility confirms your family members, budget and required documents with you, provides a written breakdown of fees, and coordinates document certification, translation and completion of application forms.
- 02
Submission & review
Due diligence fees and 10% of the government processing fee are payable on submission. Applicants aged 18 and over must attend an online interview arranged by the CIU and provide any additional documents requested. Interview arrangements for dependants follow the CIU’s notice, with Conatus Mobility following up throughout.
- 03
Approval & contribution
After receiving the approval letter, pay the NDF contribution, remaining government fees and passport fees within the deadline stated in the letter. Conatus Mobility verifies the payment account and amounts, then assists with the transfer.
- 04
Registration & passport
Complete citizenship registration, receive the citizenship certificate and passport, and arrange the oath and post-citizenship visits. Conatus Mobility assists with planning the first visit and the stays required for subsequent passport renewal.
Citizenship applications are decided by the competent authorities of Antigua and Barbuda in accordance with the law. Approval and a fixed review period are not guaranteed. Processing times depend on application volumes, individual case reviews and requests for additional documents. Conatus Mobility provides a written estimate before you sign the service agreement.
Conatus Mobility handles assessment, document preparation, submission coordination and follow-up throughout. The written agreement defines the scope of services.
COSTS & CONTRIBUTIONS
Costs and fees
Confirm the contribution, government charges and professional fees separately in writing.
NDF contribution
A minimum US$230,000 per application. Eligible dependants may be included, with separate government charges.
Government processing
US$10,000 for 1 applicant; US$20,000 for a family of 2 to 4; US$10,000 for each additional person beyond 4.
Due diligence & passports
Charges depend on the person’s status and age. Passports cost US$300 each. Interview, document and other applicable costs should be itemised.
Due diligence fees
Main applicant: US$8,500; spouse: US$5,000; children aged 0 to 11: no charge; children aged 12 to 17: US$2,000 each; children aged 18 to 30 and parents aged 55 or older: US$4,000 each. A Benefactor incurs a separate due diligence fee of US$5,000. Refer to the CIU fee schedule.
Payments & refunds
Due diligence fees and the initial 10% government processing fee are non-refundable. The NDF contribution is paid after approval and is non-refundable. Professional fees, document costs and termination arrangements follow the written agreement and work incurred.
Confirm the contribution, government charges and service fees separately against the official fee schedule, approval letter and written agreement.
CIU · Schedule of Fees2024 年投资入籍修订条例
AFTER CITIZENSHIP
After citizenship
Passport and physical presence
The initial passport is valid for 5 years. Renewal is conditional on the cumulative number of days spent in Antigua and Barbuda during the first 5 years after acquiring citizenship. The CIU website currently still states 5 days in total. For the amendment to increase the cumulative stay requirement to 30 days, the effective date, persons covered and transitional arrangements are governed by applicable law and formal notices issued by the competent authorities.
Oath, travel and tax
Complete the oath and subsequent document renewals as required by the CIU. The oath location is confirmed in the CIU notice.
Travel and tax arrangements require a separate review of destination rules and individual circumstances. Since January 2026, the United States has partially suspended new visa issuance to Antigua and Barbuda nationals, covering B-1/B-2, F, M and J visas and immigrant visas. Confirm scope, exceptions and subsequent changes before applying. Official exceptions include valid visa holders on the effective date and dual nationals applying with a passport of an unrestricted nationality.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common questions
Application & costs · Family & citizenship · After approval
When is the contribution paid
The NDF contribution is payable only after the application has been submitted, passed review and received an approval letter. The receiving account and payment deadline are governed by the official payment notice.
How do citizenship and a passport differ
Citizenship is a legal status; a passport is a travel document. Citizenship registration and documentation precede official passport processing. Entry and visa rules are determined by each destination.
What are the visit requirements
The initial passport is valid for 5 years. Renewal is conditional on the cumulative number of days spent in Antigua and Barbuda during the first 5 years after acquiring citizenship. The CIU website currently still states 5 days in total. For the amendment to increase the cumulative stay requirement to 30 days, the effective date, persons covered and transitional arrangements are governed by applicable law and formal notices issued by the competent authorities.
Where is the oath taken
The oath may be completed on the first visit or through an embassy, high commission or consular office under official arrangements. The specific location is confirmed in the CIU notice.
How are interviews arranged
Applicants aged 18 and over must attend an online interview arranged by the CIU and provide any additional documents requested. Interview arrangements for dependants follow the CIU’s notice, with Conatus Mobility following up throughout.
Can family members be added later
Separate conditions and fees apply to later additions: the main applicant’s future spouse, with US$50,000 payable on application; a dependent child’s future spouse, if that dependant is no older than 35 when applying for the addition; and a dependent child’s future child, at US$10,000 below age 6 or US$25,000 for ages 6 to 17. Regulation 3 of the 2024 amendments, substituted dependant definition (b)(iii), also requires the dependent parent to be no older than 35 when adding their child. Applicable due diligence and passport fees are additional.
What about existing nationality and tax
Retention of an existing nationality depends on that country’s law. Citizenship alone does not determine tax residence; residence, income sources and other connections require separate assessment.
What should be confirmed before signing
Before signing, confirm the following in writing: the contracting entity, accompanying family members, itemised fees and payment accounts, interview and visit arrangements, and how fees will be handled in the event of refusal or early termination.
OFFICIAL REFERENCES
Official references
Requirements and fees are drawn from CIU publications and the applicable legislation.