Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs
When it comes to citizenship by investment (CBI), Caribbean programs represent a unique gateway for foreign nationals and their family members to acquire a second passport and contribute to the burgeoning economy of a Caribbean nation. As the demand for international mobility, economic diversification, and strategic investment continues to rise, these programs have gained prominence for their ability to offer a life of tranquility under the sun while opening doors to global opportunities. Here, we give you an overview of the five Caribbean citizenship programs, as well as Vanuatu’s program.
Leading Caribbean CBI Programs
There are five Caribbean countries that offer citizenship by investment programs: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia. These government-approved programs offer the fastest route to citizenship in the world, with processing times of between three to four months – much faster than traditional immigration processes. An added attraction is the fact that the economic citizenship applications can be completed remotely, providing the added convenience of applicants being able to obtain citizenship without having to travel to the relevant country.
Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda offers one of the most competitive citizenship programs in the Caribbean. Investments start from $100,000.
Dominica
Dominica offers an attractive citizenship program with a real estate investment route. Contributions start from $100,000 for the Economic Diversification Fund.
Grenada
Grenada has the only Caribbean CBI program that holds an E-2 Investor Visa Treaty with the USA, allowing citizens to apply for a non-immigrant visa.
St Lucia
The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program offers a real estate development option and visa-free access to over 140 destinations. A minimum donation of $100,000 is required.
St Kitts and Nevis
St Kitts and Nevis has one of the strongest passports among all the Caribbean citizenship programs. A minimum donation of $250,000 is required.
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs: Key Differences
The main differences between these citizenship by investment programs comes down to the cost of acquiring citizenship, the investment options, and the processing times.
Cost
The minimum investment amounts vary between $100,000 and $250,000.
Investment options
Programs offer between two and five investment routes: Contribution to government funds, real estate investment, purchase of government bonds, business investment, and contribution to an approved project.
Processing times
Applications take between two and four months to process, from the time of submission.
Citizenship benefits
While the Caribbean CBI programs offer similar benefits, such as dual citizenship, visa-free travel, and tax policies, some countries offer the additional benefit of being able to obtain long-term visas to places such as the US.
4 Reasons to Apply for a Second Passport Through a Caribbean CBI Program
The section below lists some of the advantages of acquiring a second citizenship through a Caribbean citizenship by investment program:
1. Fast citizenship application process
Caribbean citizenship by investment programs are the fastest CBI programs in the world. Investors can be granted citizenship and obtain a Caribbean passport in between three to four months. This time period accounts for the actual processing time once your application has been submitted and does not include the time it takes you to collect and complete the necessary application forms and supporting documents.
2. Relatively low cost
The minimum investment amount for Caribbean citizenship by investment programs starts from $100,000. This is half as much as the investment required to obtain European citizenship and residency permits. They also offer affordable investment opportunities for big families.
3. Opportunity for ten-year US visas
Some Caribbean countries allow their citizens the opportunity to apply for a tourist visa to the US that is valid for ten years.
4. Advantageous tax benefits
Caribbean countries have created beneficial tax environments in which their citizens do not pay taxes such as income tax, wealth tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, or export tax. The Caribbean’s favorable tax conditions apply to both individuals and legal entities.
Why use Global Citizen Solutions?
Global Citizen Solutions is a multidisciplinary firm offering bespoke residence and citizenship solutions in Europe and the Caribbean. In a world where the economy and politics are unpredictable, having a second citizenship opens up opportunities and creates flexibility for you and your family.
So, why work with Global Citizen Solutions to obtain Caribbean citizenship?
- Authorized Agent. Global Citizen Solutions is a licensed agent for citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean.
- Global approach by local experts. We are a corporate member of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean CBI programs.
- 100 percent approval rate. We have never had a case rejected and will offer you an initial, free-of-charge due diligence assessment before signing any contract.
- Independent service and full transparency. We will present you with all the investment options available, and all expenses will be discussed in advance with no hidden fees.
- An all-encompassing solution. A multidisciplinary team of immigration lawyers, investment specialists, and tax experts will take into consideration all your and your family’s mobility, tax, and lifestyle needs.
- Confidential service and secure data management. All private data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server.
Obtaining a Caribbean Passport: Financial Requirements and Time Frames
Country | Minimum investment | Average processing time | Special requirements |
Antigua and Barbuda | $100,000 | Three to four months | Spend at least five days in the country during the first five years of citizenship |
Dominica | $100,000 | Two to three months | Virtual interview |
Grenada | $150,000 | Three to four months | Virtual interview |
St Kitts and Nevis | $250,000 | Four months | Virtual interview and in-person collection of Certificate of Registration |
St Lucia | $100,000 | Three to four months | Virtual interview |
Vanuatu | $130,000 | One to two months | Proof of sufficient funds ($250,000 minimum) |
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
The Antigua and Barbuda immigrant investor program offers foreign investors the opportunity to obtain Caribbean citizenship in exchange for a minimum investment in the country. Investment options include a non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund or the University of the West Indies Fund, a real estate investment, or an enterprise investment.
Dominica Citizenship by Investment
The Dominica Citizenship by Investment Program has been around since 1993 and offers investors a quick and easy way to obtain Dominica citizenship through foreign direct investment. By donating a minimum of $100,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund or investing at least $200,000 in government-approved real estate, you and your family can obtain a Dominica passport in just a few short months.
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
The Grenada Citizenship by Investment Program is an opportunity for investors and their entire families to obtain a second passport in exchange for an investment of at least $150,000 in the National Transformation Fund or a real estate purchase starting from $220,000. Grenadian citizenship comes with several benefits, including visa-free travel to over 140 countries across the globe, favorable tax advantages, and the chance to apply for the US E-2 investor visa. Sound like an opportunity you’re interested in? Then keep reading to learn more about the Grenada CBI program.
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment
The St Lucia Citizenship by Investment Program is a way for foreign investors to obtain citizenship in a popular Caribbean country. Investment options include a $100,000 donation to the National Economic Fund, a $200,000 investment in government-approved real estate, a $300,000 investment in non-interest-bearing government bonds, or an enterprise investment of $3,500,000 as a solo investor or $1,000,000 as part of a joint venture.
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
The St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment Program is a fast and straightforward way for investors and their families to obtain citizenship in this dual-island nation. By making a minimum financial contribution to the country’s economy – either through the Sustainable Island State Contribution (SISC), an Approved Public Benefit Project, or a real estate investment – you can obtain a St Kitts and Nevis passport and enjoy the many benefits of being a citizen of the Caribbean.
Which Caribbean economic citizenship program suits your needs the best?
Antigua and Barbuda | Dominica | Grenada | St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia | Vanuatu | |
Visa-free countries (incl. visa on arrival/electronic visa/eTA) | 150 | 146 | 147 | 153 | 148 | 112 |
Access to China, Russia, and the UK | Russia, the UK | China, Russia | China, Russia, the UK | Russia, the UK | The UK | The UK, Russia |
Processing time | Three to four months | Two to three months | Three to four months | Four months | Three to four months | One to two months |
Family inclusion | Spouse, children, dependent parents, grandparents, and siblings | Spouse, children, dependent parents, and grandparents | Spouse, children, dependent parents, grandparents, and siblings | Spouse, children, and dependent parents | Spouse, children, dependent parents, and siblings | Spouse, children, dependent parents, and grandparents |
Minimum investment (individual applicant) | $100,00 | $100,00 | $150,00 | $250,00 | $100,00 | $130,00 |
Minimum investment (family of four) | $100,00 | $175,00 | $200,00 | $350,00 | $150,00 | $180,00 |
The Caribbean in Pictures
Do you have any questions? We’ll answer them.
Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and St Lucia offer the lowest minimum investment amount for a single applicant. Of these three, Dominica is the most affordable with the overall investment cost (including application fees and due diligence fees) for an individual amounting to less than $110,000.
Obtaining a Caribbean passport affords you many benefits, such as visa-free travel to over 140 countries, favorable tax advantages (such as no income tax on worldwide income), and the ability to live in any of the Member States of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). Many Caribbean countries also recognize dual citizenship and grant citizenship for a lifetime, allowing it to be passed down to future generations.
For an individual, the cheapest citizenship option is Dominica’s CBI program. For a family of four, Antigua and Barbuda is the most affordable option, with a minimum contribution of $100,000 to the National Development Fund. For a family of six or more, the most affordable option is also Antigua and Barbuda, thanks to its University of the West Indies Fund which requires a minimum contribution of $150,000.
The family eligibility requirements vary from country to country. Generally speaking, applicants can include their spouse, children, siblings, parents, and grandparents in their application for citizenship. It is important to check the family eligibility requirements for the specific program to which you are applying.