Everyone quotes the headline minimum. Almost nobody shows the full number. So here's the full number — using a simple, realistic example: main applicant, spouse, and two children under 12, going through Antigua's programme.
The fees that apply whichever route you choose
Government processing fees for a family of up to four: US$20,000.
Due diligence fees, kids under 12: main applicant US$8,500, spouse US$5,000, each dependent child US$0. For this family, that's US$13,500 in total.
Passport fees: US$300 per person. For a family of four, that's US$1,200.
Agent processing fee: typically US$15,000–US$25,000, depending on the company and agent you engage.
Bank due diligence fee: US$650 per applicant, unless you pay by bank draft or cheque. For this family, that's US$2,600.
Then add the investment itself
Route A — the donation route (NDF): US$230,000. All-in total for this family: US$282,300, before any legal, processing or admin costs your agent bundles in separately.
Route B — the real estate route: US$300,000 minimum. All-in total for this family: US$352,300, before property closing costs on top.
If your children are older
For each child aged 12–17, add US$2,000 to the due diligence fees above.
When you actually pay
At submission, you pay 10% of the government processing fees, all due diligence fees, and the bank due diligence fee if it applies.
After approval, you pay the full investment amount, the remaining 90% of processing fees, and the passport fees. If you've chosen the donation route, that contribution is due within 30 days of your approval letter — worth building into your cash-flow planning in advance, not after.
Why this matters more than the headline figure
The US$230,000 or US$300,000 number is what gets repeated everywhere. It's real, but it's roughly two-thirds of what a family actually pays. The families who go into this process with the full number rarely get an unpleasant surprise partway through. The ones who don't, do.
One honest caveat: every fee here is set by government and programme bodies, and they do get revised. Treat this as a working example, not a quote — check current figures with the CIU or your agent before you plan around them.
