Antigua and Barbuda vs St Kitts and Nevis

Of the two, only Antigua and Barbuda has a residence rule in force: five days in the country within the first five years after citizenship, being raised to 30 days under the regional ECCIRA agreement. Antigua's National Development Fund also starts lower, at USD 230,000 against USD 250,000 for the Sustainable Island State Contribution in St Kitts and Nevis.

Information checked 4 October 2026

Price
The Caribbean coastline near Devil's Bridge, AntiguaAntigua and BarbudaAerial view of Pinney's Beach on Nevis, St Kitts and NevisSt Kitts and Nevis
From (government minimum)From USD 230,000From USD 250,000
Time and residence
Processing time, as publishedAverage initial response time is 90 days.Within 120-180 days of acknowledgment from the Unit of submission of a citizenship application, the Unit will advise whether an application is approved-in-principle, denied, or delayed for cause and still being processed.
Residence rule5 days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first 5 calendar years after citizenship (CIU); being raised to 30 days aggregate under the ECCIRA Agreement and the CIP (Amendment) Bill 2026None in force as of Oct 2026; a physical residence / genuine-link requirement has been announced but its commencement awaits ECCIRA becoming operational and an agreed effective date
Family
ChildrenChildren of the main applicant or spouse aged 30 or younger; any age if physically or mentally incapacitated and fully supportedChildren under 18; children 18-29 who are unmarried and substantially supported by the main applicant or spouse; children 18+ physically or mentally challenged
ParentsParents or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse aged 55+ and fully supported; any age if incapacitatedParents of the main applicant or spouse aged 55+, living with and fully supported by the main applicant
Who can apply
Nationality restrictionsRefused unless conditions are met: Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, North Korea, Somalia, SudanBarred: Russia, Belarus, Iran, Afghanistan, Iraq, North Korea
Travel (official visa lists only)
Schengen areaVisa-free short stays (Annex II)Visa-free short stays (Annex II)
United KingdomNo visa; travel authorisation (ETA) neededNo visa; travel authorisation (ETA) needed
Sources and last checked
  1. Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Regulations 2024, Statutory Instrument 2024 No. 50 (made 25 July 2024), hosted by CIU, checked 4 October 2026
  2. St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Substantial Investment Regulations, 2024 (SRO No. 20 of 2024), checked 4 October 2026
  3. CIU Brochure (update dated 17 Sept 2024, PDF), checked 4 October 2026
  4. St Kitts and Nevis CIU — Sustainable Island State Contribution page, checked 4 October 2026
  5. CIU — Citizenship page, checked 4 October 2026
  6. CIU press release, 30 Sep 2026 (Outbound Investment Summit, New York), checked 4 October 2026
  7. Citizenship by Substantial Investment (Amendment) Regulations, 2026 (SRO No. 1 of 2026, gazetted 16 Jan 2026), checked 4 October 2026
  8. Citizenship by Substantial Investment (Amendment) Regulations, 2024 (SRO No. 43 of 2024), checked 4 October 2026
  9. Citizenship by Investment Unit of Antigua and Barbuda — FAQ, checked 4 October 2026
  10. Citizenship by Investment Unit of St Kitts and Nevis — Eligibility criteria, checked 4 October 2026
  11. Regulation (EU) 2018/1806, consolidated text 02018R1806-20251230 (EUR-Lex / Publications Office), latest consolidated version as of 2026-10-04, checked 4 October 2026
  12. GOV.UK, Immigration Rules Appendix Visitor: Visa national list (page updated 3 August 2026), checked 4 October 2026
Add a third programme

Request a private consultation

Tell us about your family, nationality and goals. We send you a shortlist of the programmes that fit; if you go ahead, a licensed partner agent files your application, and we name them before sharing your details.

Step 1 of 3

Your situation

Who would apply?
Sources and last checked4 government and official sources · checked 4 October 2026
  1. CIU — Citizenship page, checked 4 October 2026
  2. CIU press release, 30 Sep 2026 (Outbound Investment Summit, New York), checked 4 October 2026
  3. Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Regulations 2024, Statutory Instrument 2024 No. 50 (made 25 July 2024), hosted by CIU, checked 4 October 2026
  4. St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Substantial Investment Regulations, 2024 (SRO No. 20 of 2024), checked 4 October 2026
WhatsAppRequest a consultation