For those considering immigrating to the Caribbean region, whether for work, study, a better life for their family, or retirement, navigating the complexities of the immigration requirements is crucial to relocate successfully. That’s why using trust Caribbean immigration services is a wise choice, and this guide highlights everything you should know about them, including insights into the following:
Why should you immigrate to the Caribbean?
High-quality life
The Caribbean provides a change of pace from the hustle and bustle of big cities. With various locations, lifestyles, cultures, and languages, the Caribbean is a charming place to enjoy a calmer pace of life beside the ocean.
Favorable tax environment
Many Caribbean countries offer favorable tax environments to their citizens and residents. The benefits vary across countries but generally include tax exemptions, no personal income tax, and no inheritance, wealth, or capital gains tax.
Global mobility
Becoming a Caribbean citizen and second passport holder opens doors across the globe. With a Caribbean passport, you can enjoy visa free travel to places including the Schengen zone, the UK, Hong Kong, China, Russia, Singapore, and more. This is particularly advantageous if your current passport allows for limited global mobility.
Citizenship by investment
The Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia citizenship by investment programs offer foreigners the opportunity to invest in their economies and obtain citizenship. Investment options include contributing to government funds or university funds, real estate investment, enterprise investment, and government bonds acquisition.
Investment opportunities
Reputable Caribbean immigration agencies can source lucrative investment opportunities in the Caribbean, such as Caribbean rental properties through investment schemes like the Grenada citizenship by investment program.
Business friendliness
The ease-of-doing business policies and business banking framework in countries like St Kitts and Nevis, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the Cayman Islands, Barbados, and the British Virgin Islands make them attractive destinations for entrepreneurs and investors, offering streamlined processes for company formation.
Safety
Many countries in the Caribbean and Central America, like Costa Rica, the Cayman Islands, and Dominica, are known for their safety and low levels of violence. These countries have tight-knit communities, providing a safe environment for foreigners to live.
Education
You’ll find plenty of good education options for your family in the Caribbean. Lessons are held in English (the official language of several countries in the region). Universities offer quality education, and you can even obtain a year of free tuition at the University of the West Indies by donating to the UWI Fund under Antigua and Barbuda’s citizenship by investment program.
Caribbean Cost Calculator
Calculate the cost of Caribbean citizenship for you and your family, including all associated fees
Benefits of Using a Caribbean Immigration Service
Seasoned expertise: Caribbean immigration experts know the laws, so you don’t make mistakes or misinterpret the rules that can delay your application.
Efficiency: Professionals handle the process, saving time and money.
Higher success rate: Trusted services have a proven track record of approvals, so you have a better chance of getting approved.
Documentation preparation: Immigration lawyers help prepare and submit the documents.
Legal support: Immigration lawyers know the rules and can provide legal representation to fix any legal issues.
Tax guidance: Immigration services in the Caribbean have tax professionals working alongside immigration specialists, guiding applicants on reducing their tax burdens legally.
Get in touch with a Citizenship by Investment Specialist
Our team of industry-leading experts will help you with everything from filing your immigration application to providing professional legal and tax advice. We are wholly committed to your success.
Joe Rice
Head of Caribbean Unit
How to Immigrate to the Caribbean
Residency
Obtaining residency in the Caribbean requires a legitimate reason for a Caribbean country to grant a resident permit. These visa options include:
- Family reunification visa
- Digital nomad visa
- Student visa
- Work visa
- Investment visa
Citizenship
An alternative option is applying for citizenship by investing in the Caribbean through a citizenship program. Options to obtain investment citizenship include the following:
Antigua and Barbuda: The Antigua and Barbuda citizenship by investment program starts with an investment of $230,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four and offers four qualifying investments.
Dominica: The Dominica citizenship by investment program requires an initial investment of $200,000 for a single applicant and $250,00 for a family of up to four and offers two qualifying investments.
Grenada: The Grenada citizenship by investment program has a minimum investment requirement of $235,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four and offers two qualifying investments.
St Kitts and Nevis: The St Kitts and Nevis citizenship by investment program starts with an investment of $250,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four and offers four qualifying investments.
St Lucia: St Lucia’s citizenship by investment program requires an initial investment of $240,000 for a single applicant or a family of up to four and offers four qualifying investments.
How to Choose the Right Caribbean Immigration Service
Factors to consider
To immigrate to the Caribbean through one of the citizenship by investment programs offered, you must ensure that the firm is an Authorized Agent licensed to offer services for the program. For example, a Caribbean citizenship by investment consultant like Global Citizen Solutions has licenses for the Caribbean citizenship by investment programs offered by Antigua and Barbuda, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia.
Evaluate their track record
Talk to the firm about their experience handling applications, including guidance on taking Caribbean citizenship interviews, to ensure they can provide the required service. Testimonials from former clients can provide valuable insight into their skills and expertise, how effectively they communicate, and the satisfaction clients experience when working with them.
Read their reviews
If the company has a social media presence and published articles, make sure to go through any feedback available from clients. This can include feedback posted by the company on their website, comments from clients under any social media posts, reviews, and more.
Do they comply with immigration laws and regulations?
The company should have an open communication style that makes everything clear to you. Make sure you know exactly what is required of you, what each step of the process entails, and how long it will take. The company should be available when you need them, from the submission of the application to the final stages of consular processing. They should be upfront about the fees charged and services provided and forthcoming with information in a timely manner.
Additional Services from Caribbean Immigration Agencies
Real estate services
Immigration agencies can find and help you buy the perfect real estate to get Caribbean citizenship. For example, Global Citizen Solutions uses market data, real estate intelligence, and trusted partners to provide personalized Caribbean real estate investment assistance.
Retirement services
Foreign individuals retiring in the Caribbean can receive immigration agencies like:
- Goal-setting: Setting realistic financial goals to enjoy a stress-free Caribbean life.
- Tax planning: What to do to benefit from the favorable tax systems in the Caribbean.
- Legacy planning: Caribbean trust immigration services and financial strategies in line with Caribbean tax laws to protect family wealth.
Business banking
Knowing the options for onshore and offshore Caribbean banks and the rules that apply to businesses in the Caribbean.
Business incorporation
Knowing how to set up a business in the Caribbean and the rules to comply with running Caribbean businesses.
Global Citizen Solutions - Your Caribbean Immigration Lawyers
Global Citizen Solutions has a team of expert immigration lawyers with decades of professional experience in Caribbean immigration. Our team provides expert advice tailored to your circumstances, taking into account freedom, mobility, taxation, and security. As an independent firm, we have no hidden costs, middlemen, or secret agendas. Our specialist team uses a strategic approach to ensure a seamless and successful application process, guiding our clients through each step of the way.
In accordance with regulations, your Caribbean immigration application submission must be done by a registered agent such as Global Citizen Solutions.
Get in touch with a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment specialist
Frequently Asked Questions About Caribbean Immigration Services
Using Caribbean immigration services ensures that you have the most up-to-date information regarding what is required of you. A Caribbean immigration law firm will provide expert and impartial advice tailored for prospective immigrants, helping them navigate the complexities of the application process as smoothly as possible.
An immigration law firm has expert knowledge of immigration and administrative law, can provide legal assistance, and can appear in court on your behalf. Immigration law firms are held accountable by a country’s legal system, which provides a level of protection for the client. In contrast, an immigration agency offers application assistance, documentary support, visa guidance, and post arrival services such as looking for a home school for children.
A Caribbean immigration law firm provides services on the necessary documents to submit your application. They will also review your application before submitting it on your behalf, in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Caribbean citizenship by investment programs.
Yes, Caribbean immigration services can help you with family-based immigration matters. This includes Caribbean migration consultations for families, incorporating family members on your citizenship application, advising on the eligibility requirements they must meet, and the supporting documents you must provide.
How you immigrate to a Caribbean island depends on the country’s immigration laws, as each has its own rules. For example, the Dominica citizenship by investment program requires foreign individuals to invest $200,000 to obtain citizenship, whereas the Curaçao Investor Permit Program requires a minimum $280,000 investment for a three-year renewable residence permit.
The Dominica Republic is often considered the easiest Caribbean island to immigrate to as they offer a retirement visa called the Pensionado Visa, which requires a minimum monthly income of just $1,500. For citizenship, St Kitts and Nevis is relatively easy as foreign nationals can buy a private home for $600,000 and obtain citizenship.