A Golden Chance to Secure Antigua Citizenship Before the Program Closes

Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program is set to close, with the European Commission asking for the program to end by 1 June 2028.

Since the announcement, more of our clients have been asking how they can get their foot in the door before the deadline. The good news is that Antigua’s program is fully operational today, and investors who apply now can secure citizenship that stays with them and their families for life.

Why and When Is Antigua Closing its CBI Program?

Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment Program continues to accept and process applications as normal.

The European Commission has asked Antigua and Barbuda, along with the four other Eastern Caribbean countries that offer citizenship by investment, to phase out their programs by 1 June 2028. Prime Minister Gaston Browne has confirmed Antigua’s intention to close the program in a letter to the European Commission dated 30 October 2026.

In the same letter, Antigua requested an extension to 31 December 2030. The EU has not agreed to the extension, so investors should plan around the June 2028 deadline.

Whilst it would be a shame to see such a highly popular program close, the move is a positive step for Antigua’s citizens. Closing the program is a preventative measure to protect the country’s visa-free agreements with the EU for everyone who holds Antigua citizenship, including investors who secure it before the deadline.

Don’t Leave Your Antigua Citizenship Application Too Late

The prospect of Antigua’s Citizenship by Investment Program closing makes early planning increasingly important. While the exact deadline has yet to be finalised, investors who begin the process now will have more time to prepare their applications before any changes take effect.

Citizenship granted through the program is held for life and can be passed down to future generations. That means investors who apply before the deadline secure a lasting asset for their family, long after the program itself has closed.

Starting early also means applying under the program’s current terms and investment thresholds. In our experience, announcements of program closures bring a rise in applications as the deadline approaches, so investors who move first are best placed to complete the process smoothly.

What Antigua Citizenship Offers Investors and Their Families

Antigua and Barbuda has run its Citizenship by Investment Program since 2013, and it has become one of the most popular routes to Caribbean citizenship.

The program allows investors to include family members on a single application, making it a strong option for families planning ahead together. Antigua also has one of the lightest residency obligations of any citizenship program, with applicants required to spend just five days in the country within the first five years of citizenship.

Key benefits of the program include:

• Easy travel access to 186 destinations worldwide, including the Schengen Zone.
• Citizenship for the main applicant and qualifying family members
• Dual citizenship, so investors keep their existing passport
• Citizenship that passes to future generations

Cost of Antigua Citizenship by Investment

Investors can qualify for Antigua citizenship through several routes:

• A contribution to the National Development Fund, starting from US$230,000 for a family of up to four
• An investment in government-approved real estate, starting from US$300,000
• A contribution to the University of the West Indies Fund, starting from US$260,000 for a family of up to six
• A qualifying business investment, starting from US$1.5 million

Each route carries its own requirements and holding periods, and our advisers can help investors identify the option best suited to their goals. Application and processing fees will also apply. Contact us for a full quotation. 

Getting Your Application Under Way

A citizenship application involves more than the investment itself. Due diligence, gathering and certifying documents and preparing the submission all take time, particularly for larger families.

La Vida’s in-house processing team supports clients through every stage of the application. Our team handles document preparation, due diligence and submission, keeping the process moving efficiently from first conversation to approval.

Beginning the process now gives our team the time to prepare a complete, well-documented application and submit it well ahead of the 2028 deadline.

Exploring the Wider Caribbean

Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis and St Lucia also offer citizenship by investment, and each country agrees its own arrangements with the EU.

Discussions between the Caribbean governments and the EU are ongoing and the final outcome remains subject to further developments. La Vida is closely monitoring these events and will provide further updates when they become available.

Investors interested in Caribbean citizenship can also explore the other programs alongside Antigua, and our advisers can compare each one against an investor’s priorities.

Secure Your Place in Antigua’s Program

Antigua’s closure gives investors a golden chance to secure a second citizenship before June 2028. Citizenship granted now is a lifelong asset that passes to future generations, and applying early means doing so under today’s terms with time to spare.

La Vida’s expert advisers have guided clients through the Antigua program for many years. Get in touch with our team to discuss your eligibility and get your application under way.

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