Every way into Antigua and Barbuda.

Nationals of many countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, EU and Schengen states, CARICOM and Commonwealth members, may enter Antigua and Barbuda without a visa for tourism or visiting, with stays commonly granted up to 180 days. Travellers must hold a passport valid at least six months beyond arrival, an onward or return ticket, proof of accommodation and sufficient funds. The entry is for leisure or social visits only and does not permit employment or study. Stays are at the discretion of the Immigration Officer at the port of entry and extensions are handled by the Immigration Department.

Government fee

$0

Max stay

180 days

Nationals who require a visa to enter Antigua and Barbuda apply online for the Electronic Entry Visa (EEV) through the official immigration eVisa portal. The single-entry visa is valid for six months from issue and permits a stay of up to 30 days, which is non-extendable except on medical grounds. Applicants upload a passport, photo, travel itinerary and proof of accommodation and pay the fee online; processing typically takes a few days. The eVisa is for tourism or short visits and does not authorise work or study.

Government fee

$100

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

180 days

The multiple-entry Electronic Entry Visa for Antigua and Barbuda is valid for one year and allows repeated visits, each capped at up to 30 days, for tourism or short business and social visits. It is obtained through the same online immigration eVisa portal as the single-entry visa, with a higher government fee. Applicants must provide a valid passport, photo, travel plans and accommodation details. The visa does not permit employment or enrolled study and stays are non-extendable except on medical grounds.

Government fee

$200

Processing time

5 days

Max stay

30 days

Validity

365 days

A double-entry transit Electronic Entry Visa is available for travellers who need to pass through Antigua and Barbuda en route to another destination and require entry on both legs of the journey. It is valid for six months and is issued through the online immigration eVisa portal at a lower government fee than the visitor eVisa. Passengers in direct transit who remain airside and depart within 24 hours, and same-day cruise visitors, are generally exempt from visa requirements. The transit visa does not permit work or study.

Government fee

$50

Processing time

5 days

Validity

180 days

Foreign nationals enrolled at an approved institution in Antigua and Barbuda, such as the University of the West Indies Five Islands campus, St. John's Business College or one of the medical schools, obtain a student residence permit. Permits are issued for up to two years and renewable for the duration of the programme. Applicants must show an acceptance letter, proof of funds to cover tuition and living costs, and health insurance. A student who continuously resides for four years or more may apply for a Class A residence permit. Study time itself is for education only and does not grant local employment rights.

• Study: Full enrolment at the approved institution.
• Residency after 4 years

Validity

730 days

The Nomad Digital Residence (NDR) visa lets remote workers, freelancers and business owners whose income comes from outside Antigua and Barbuda live on the islands for up to two years. Applicants must be 18 or over, certify expected income of at least USD 50,000 per year for each year of the stay, hold health insurance covering Antigua and Barbuda, and pass a clean criminal record check. The government fee is USD 1,500 for a single applicant, USD 2,000 for a couple and USD 3,000 for a family of up to three dependents, with USD 650 per additional dependent. Holders and their dependents are exempt from Antigua and Barbuda income tax during their stay. Applications are filed online through the official NDR portal.

• Work: Remote work for clients/employers outside Antigua and Barbuda only; no local labour-market access.
• Family: Spouse and dependents may be included with per-dependent fees (USD 650 each beyond the family-of-three band).

Government fee

$1,500

Processing time

14 days

Max stay

730 days

Validity

730 days

Min. income / month

$4,167

Non-citizens who wish to work in Antigua and Barbuda must hold a work permit, applied for by the employer after the applicant has a confirmed job offer. The vacancy must first be advertised in local media (extended to 14 days under the 2026 centralised approval framework) to confirm no qualified national is available. Permits are typically granted for one year and are renewable, and are tied to a specific employer and position. Fees vary by job category and were previously in the order of EC$500-1,500 per year, with increases expected under the centralised system. A work-permit holder may apply for a Class A residence permit after four years of continuous residence.

• Work: Work limited to the employer and position named in the permit.
• Residency after 4 years

Processing time

21 days

Validity

365 days

Under the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), nationals of CARICOM member states in approved skilled categories may live and work in Antigua and Barbuda without a work permit once they hold a CARICOM Skills Certificate. Antigua and Barbuda is not in the initial phase of fully unrestricted mobility, so a Skills Certificate (issued by the relevant accreditation authority and verified locally) remains required. Eligible categories include university graduates, media workers, sportspersons, artists, musicians, nurses, teachers and certain other skilled occupations. The certificate grants the right to seek and take up employment but does not by itself confer permanent residence or citizenship.

• Work: Skilled CARICOM nationals may work without a separate work permit.
• Study: May study while resident under CSME rights.
• Family: CSME provides for accompanying spouse and dependent children of a skilled national.

A citizenship route aimed at larger families: a non-refundable USD 260,000 contribution to the University of the West Indies (UWI) Fund qualifies a family of six or more for citizenship, with the amount stated to be inclusive of government processing fees, making it cost-effective at that family size. One family member also receives a one-year, tuition-only scholarship at the University of the West Indies. Due diligence and passport fees still apply per applicant, and the same 5-days-in-5-years physical-presence rule applies to retain citizenship. Processing typically takes around 6-9 months through the CIU via a licensed agent.

• Work: Citizens have unrestricted rights to live and work in Antigua and Barbuda.
• Study: Full access to education; includes a one-year UWI tuition scholarship for one family member.
• Residency: Grants citizenship directly; 5 days of physical presence within the first 5 years required.
• Family: Designed for families of six or more; covers spouse, children, qualifying parents/grandparents and siblings.

Government fee

$0

Processing time

240 days

Min. investment

$260,000,000

The most affordable route of the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme, run by the Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU): a non-refundable USD 230,000 contribution to the National Development Fund covers the main applicant and a family of up to four, with USD 10,000 per additional dependent. On top of the donation, government processing fees are USD 30,000 for a family of up to four (USD 10,000 for a single applicant) plus due diligence (about USD 7,000 main applicant, USD 5,000 spouse, lower for minors) and passport fees of about USD 300 each. Processing typically takes around 6-9 months and grants full citizenship with a passport. Citizens must spend at least 5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 years to retain citizenship. The donation minimum was standardised at USD 230,000 under the August 2024 OECS price agreement.

• Work: Citizens have unrestricted rights to live and work in Antigua and Barbuda.
• Study: Full access to education as a citizen.
• Residency: Grants citizenship directly; only 5 days of physical presence within the first 5 years required.
• Family: Covers spouse, children up to 30, parents/grandparents 55+, and unmarried siblings, subject to per-dependent fees.

Government fee

$30,000

Processing time

240 days

Min. investment

$230,000,000

Citizenship through purchase of government-approved real estate worth at least USD 300,000, which must be held for a minimum of five years before resale. Government processing fees of USD 30,000 for a family of up to four (USD 10,000 single) apply, plus due diligence and passport fees per applicant. Two applicants may jointly purchase a single qualifying property of at least USD 600,000 (USD 300,000 each). The route grants full citizenship and passport, with the standard requirement to spend at least 5 days in the country within the first 5 years. Processing typically takes around 6-9 months through the CIU.

• Work: Citizens have unrestricted rights to live and work.
• Study: Full access to education as a citizen.
• Residency: Grants citizenship directly; 5 days of physical presence within the first 5 years required.
• Family: Covers spouse, children up to 30, qualifying parents/grandparents and siblings.

Government fee

$30,000

Processing time

240 days

Min. investment

$300,000,000

Citizenship through investment in an approved business in Antigua and Barbuda: either a sole investment of at least USD 1.5 million, or a joint investment where each applicant contributes at least USD 400,000 to an approved enterprise with a total value of at least USD 5 million. Government processing fees of USD 30,000 for a family of up to four (USD 10,000 single) apply, plus due diligence and passport fees per applicant. The route grants full citizenship and passport, subject to the 5-days-in-5-years physical-presence rule. Processing typically takes around 6-9 months through the CIU via a licensed agent.

• Work: Citizens have unrestricted rights to live and work and operate the business.
• Study: Full access to education as a citizen.
• Residency: Grants citizenship directly; 5 days of physical presence within the first 5 years required.
• Family: Covers spouse, children up to 30, qualifying parents/grandparents and siblings.

Government fee

$30,000

Processing time

240 days

Min. investment

$1,500,000,000

Introduced in 1995, this programme grants permanent residence and tax residency to non-citizens, including wealthy retirees and globally mobile individuals. Applicants must demonstrate annual income above USD 100,000, pay a flat annual tax of USD 20,000, and maintain a permanent address in Antigua and Barbuda by buying or renting property. Holders must be physically present at least 30 days each year to keep tax-resident status. Antigua and Barbuda levies no tax on worldwide income, capital gains, inheritance or wealth, making this an efficient tax base. Family members can be included without separate time requirements, and the status is held for life once granted.

• Work: Permanent residents may live and conduct business; local employment of foreigners still requires a work permit.
• Study: Residents may study in Antigua and Barbuda.
• Residency: Grants permanent residence directly; held for life subject to 30 days' annual presence and the flat tax.
• Family: Family members can be included without separate time requirements.

Processing time

60 days

Min. income / month

$8,333

A foreign national married to an Antigua and Barbuda citizen may apply to the Immigration Department for a residence permit on the basis of the marriage. A person married to a citizen for at least one year, who has not entered the country illegally, intends to remain permanently and has no disqualifying convictions, may apply for residence; the spouse route also leads toward citizenship by registration, generally after about three years. Applicants must provide a marriage certificate, the citizen spouse's proof of nationality, police clearance and supporting documents. The permit allows the holder to live with their spouse in Antigua and Barbuda.

• Work: Spouses of citizens are generally permitted to live and work, subject to confirmation of status.
• Study: May study in Antigua and Barbuda.
• Residency after 1 year
• Family: Based on the marriage; children may be added on their own basis.

Validity

365 days

The general residence permit allows non-citizens to reside in Antigua and Barbuda on grounds such as long-term work, family, investment or independent means. Short-term permits run three months, while standard work, family and multiple-entry permits run one year and investor/business and student permits up to two years; renewable temporary residence can extend up to three years. A person who has been legally and ordinarily resident for at least four years (or married to a citizen for at least one year) may apply for a longer-term resident permit, evidenced by a Class A residence card. Government fees vary by category and applicant nationality (for example EC$150 for a three-month permit for non-CARICOM nationals).

• Study: Residents may study in Antigua and Barbuda.
• Residency after 4 years

Validity

365 days

Long-term residents may acquire Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by naturalisation, generally after seven years of legal and ordinary residence, including a qualifying continuous period immediately before the application and an intention to continue residing in the country. Spouses of citizens may instead acquire citizenship by registration on a shorter timeline (generally about three years of marriage). Applicants must be of good character, have no disqualifying convictions and meet residence and physical-presence conditions. Citizenship grants a passport and full civil and political rights. This is distinct from the fast Citizenship by Investment route, which requires only five days of presence within five years.

• Work: Citizens have unrestricted work rights.
• Study: Full access to education as a citizen.
• Residency after 7 years
• Family: Minor children of a citizen and spouses by registration may acquire citizenship on their own basis.