Antigua & Barbuda has provided further clarification on its proposed 30-day residency requirement under the برنامج الجنسية عن طريق الاستثمار, giving prospective investors a clearer picture of how the change would work, particularly for families.
The clarification came from Charmaine Quinland-Donovan, Chief Executive Officer of Antigua & Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU), during the 2026 Antigua and Barbuda Investment Promotion Conference in Guangdong, China.
The proposed increase in the residency requirement has attracted attention since the introduction of the CBI Amendment Bill. One of the main questions for families has been whether every applicant and dependent would have to spend 30 days in Antigua & Barbuda individually.
The latest explanation from the CIU provides an important clarification.
How Would the New 30-Day Requirement Work?
Under the proposed reform, the existing five-day post-citizenship residency requirement would increase to 30 days.
The 30 days would not be an annual requirement. Instead, the proposed requirement would be fulfilled cumulatively over the first five years after citizenship is granted.
There is also an important clarification for families applying together. According to the CIU Chief, the requirement would be calculated on a family basis. Family members would therefore be able to contribute collectively towards the 30-day requirement rather than each individual having to spend 30 separate days in Antigua & Barbuda.
This is particularly relevant for families considering الحصول على جنسية أنتيغوا وبربودا عن طريق الاستثمار, as it provides a clearer understanding of how the proposed residency obligation would work in practice.
Ms. Quinland-Donovan explained that the reform is intended to respond to international concerns about citizenship programs where successful applicants may have little or no meaningful connection with the country granting citizenship, while keeping the requirement practical for international families.
Read our previous update on the proposed Antigua & Barbuda CBI reforms covering the program’s residency, audit and regulatory changes.
Why Is Antigua & Barbuda Introducing the Change?
The proposed residency requirement forms part of a broader effort to strengthen the governance and regulatory framework surrounding Antigua & Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program.
The country is also working towards greater harmonization of CBI standards across the Eastern Caribbean. Recent reforms have placed greater emphasis on transparency, due diligence and regulatory oversight, with the Eastern Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Regulatory Authority (ECCIRA) forming part of this regional framework.
For applicants, the latest clarification is therefore best viewed as part of a wider regulatory development rather than as a standalone change to the program.
What About the EU’s 2028 Request?
The latest clarification comes as Caribbean Citizenship by investment programs face increased attention from the European Union.
The European Commission has requested that Antigua & Barbuda and the other four Eastern Caribbean countries operating CBI programs phase out their programs by June 1, 2028.
It is important to distinguish between an EU request and an enacted law. The request does not itself terminate Antigua & Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment Program. The Government of Antigua & Barbuda has stated that the program will continue while it engages with the European Union and regional partners.
The government is also pursuing a coordinated regional response with the other Eastern Caribbean CBI jurisdictions and has indicated that further diplomatic engagement with European institutions will take place.
For individuals who have already obtained Antigua & Barbuda citizenship, the current EU communication does not state that their citizenship will be cancelled or revoked. The 2028 request should therefore not be interpreted as an automatic cancellation date for citizenship already granted.
For prospective applicants, however, it remains important to follow developments as discussions between Antigua & Barbuda, the wider Eastern Caribbean and the EU continue.
What Should Applicants Take Away?
The latest clarification makes the proposed residency change easier to understand.
The requirement would be:
30 days → cumulative over five years → calculated on a family basis.
It would not mean that every family member applying together must individually spend 30 days in Antigua & Barbuda, nor would it create a requirement to spend 30 days in the country every year.
Because the change is part of the legislative process, applicants should refer to the latest official requirements when making application and travel plans.
كيف يمكن لشركة أونو كابيتال أن تساعد؟
As a licensed agent for the Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Program, UNO Capital helps investors and families understand program requirements and keep up with regulatory developments.
يشمل دعمنا ما يلي:
- Assessing eligibility for the Antigua & Barbuda CBI Program.
- Explaining the latest residency and program updates.
- Helping families understand how the proposed 30-day requirement could apply to them.
- Guiding applicants through the required documentation and application process.
- Coordinating with authorized partners throughout the application.
- Providing guidance on post-citizenship requirements.
If you are considering Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment, contact UNO Capital to understand the latest developments and how they may apply to you and your family.
