Antigua and Barbuda has introduced legislation that would increase the post-citizenship physical-presence requirement for citizenship by investment applicants from five days to 30 days during the first five years after citizenship is granted. Prime Minister Gaston Browne presented the Citizenship by Investment (Amendment) Bill 2026 in Parliament on 14 July 2026.

The proposed 30 days are cumulative, not annual, and may be completed over several visits. The measure also applies to eligible dependants included in the application. Browne told Parliament that the higher requirement had already been applied administratively as part of regional reforms, although applicants should confirm when the amended legislation formally takes effect. The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment guide remains relevant to the programme’s investment routes and costs.

What the bill changes

Requirement	Existing statutory position	Proposed 2026 position
Physical presence after citizenship	Five days within the first five years	30 cumulative days within the first five years
Eligible dependants	Existing rule principally stated for the successful applicant	Successful applicants and eligible dependants
CIU financial audit	No equivalent annual independent audit requirement	Independent financial audit every year
CIU operational audit	No equivalent fixed cycle	Independent operational audit every two years
Regional reporting	National reporting requirements	Reports to ECCIRA every six months

The Citizenship by Investment Unit would face annual independent financial audits, biennial operational audits and six-monthly reporting to the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority. The Eastern Caribbean Central Bank reported in July that ECCIRA remained on track for launch in September 2026.

The regional direction can also be seen in the physical presence and biometric rules St Kitts and Nevis introduced and its wider genuine connection reforms.

Why the requirement is changing

The reforms form part of an Eastern Caribbean effort to harmonise standards, strengthen oversight and respond to concerns raised by international partners.

A US presidential proclamation effective from 1 January 2026 partially suspended entry for Antiguan and Barbudan nationals using immigrant visas and B-1, B-2, F, M and J visas, subject to exceptions. It described the country as having historically operated citizenship by investment without residency. Visas already valid on the effective date were not revoked.

The European Union has also increased scrutiny of Caribbean citizenship programmes and Schengen visa-free access. Antigua Observer’s parliamentary report explains how the government presented the amendments. Stronger due diligence and background checks remain important, but they cannot guarantee that other governments will preserve every travel concession.

What 30 days means in practice

The requirement does not mean six days must be completed every year. A family could use one longer holiday, several shorter visits or a combination across five years. Each affected family member may need to satisfy the rule, so school terms, work commitments, travel costs and passport-renewal timing should be planned early. Families considering school and university planning across borders should include the visits in their timetable.

Investment routes remain unchanged

The minimum National Development Fund contribution remains US$230,000 per application. Approved real estate starts at US$300,000 and must generally be held for at least five years. The University of the West Indies Fund requires US$260,000 for a family of six or more and includes processing fees, although due diligence, passport and other charges can still apply.

Applicants concerned about the travel commitment should compare alternatives. Grenada citizenship by investment may support eligibility to apply for the US E-2 treaty investor visa, subject to a separate qualifying investment and visa application. The Greece Golden Visa and Hungary golden visa provide residence rather than immediate citizenship, while UK residency routes follow separate immigration rules.

Our guide to choosing a Caribbean citizenship in 2026 and the practicalities of holding a second passport can help you compare obligations as well as benefits.

Talk to our citizenship and residency team to model the proposed requirement against your family’s timetable before submitting or completing an application.