Starting a business in Antigua and Barbuda: foreigner's guide (2026)

No limits on foreign control: foreign investors may hold up to 100% of a domestic or IBC entity. The U.S. State Department 2025 Investment Climate Statement confirms Antigua and Barbuda treats foreign and local investors equally in establishment, acquisition, and management of investments.

IBCs are governed by the International Business Corporations Act (Cap. 222) and are the preferred vehicle for foreigners not targeting the local market. They require a minimum of 1 director and 1 shareholder (both may be non-resident), carry 0% corporate tax on foreign-sourced income, and are barred from conducting business within Antigua and Barbuda itself.

Domestic companies are formed under the Companies Act 1995 and filed with ABIPCO. Steps include: (1) name reservation/search, (2) preparation of Articles of Incorporation and By-laws, (3) statutory declaration by a local Attorney-at-Law confirming compliance, (4) filing with ABIPCO, and (5) post-incorporation tax/statutory deductions registration. A local registered agent with a physical Antigua address is required.

There is no statutory minimum paid-up capital for standard domestic companies or non-licensed IBCs. Authorized share capital is typically set at USD 50,000 for administrative purposes but is not a legal threshold. IBCs applying for an international banking license face a separate minimum of USD 5,000,000.

An IBC can be incorporated in as little as 24 hours once due-diligence documents are in order, or typically 3-7 business days; domestic companies take up to three weeks. Government filing fees and registered-agent costs typically begin around USD 1,500-3,500 for an IBC.

The Antigua and Barbuda Investment Authority (ABIA), established in 2006, facilitates FDI, advises the government on investment policy, and serves as a single point of contact for foreign investors, particularly in priority sectors such as tourism, ICT, and financial services.