Based on the latest data compiled in March 2024, the most powerful Caribbean passport enables visa free access to 154 countries worldwide. The Caribbean passport visa free countries list includes member states of the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States, which allow entry for Caribbean citizens without a passport.
In some cases, acquiring Caribbean passports can make it easier to apply for a visa or provides more straightforward entry into a destination country through a visa waiver agreement. This is especially beneficial during times of crisis, such as a pandemic or political instability.
Visa Free Destinations with a Caribbean Passport
Caribbean nationals tend to have more visa free travel options than citizens of African countries and most Asian countries. Five Caribbean islands, including Antigua and Barbuda, and St Kitts and Nevis, provide powerful passports through Caribbean citizenship by investment to more than 145 visa free countries for Caribbean passport holders.
A unique advantage is that Caribbean passports like the Grenada passport allow visa free entry to China, as well as other countries like the UK and Schengen countries. China and Russia grant visa free entry to holders of St Lucia and Dominica passports. As members of the British Commonwealth, several Caribbean citizenship by investment passports facilitate visa free travel to the UK for business and tourism purposes for up to six months.
Country | Number of Visa Free Countries |
St Kitts and Nevis | 154 |
Antigua and Barbuda | 152 |
St Lucia | 149 |
Grenada | 148 |
Dominica | 146 |
US Visa approval rates
Caribbean passports have one of the lowest US tourist visa refusal rates in the world among passports issued by comparable economies. Here is a table of the refusal rates in 2022 for the strongest Caribbean passports compared with others around the world, according to data provided by the US Department of State.
Passport | US B-Visa Refusal Rate |
Antigua | 14.09 percent |
Grenada | 16.58 percent |
Netherlands | 16.97 percent |
Sweden | 17.07 percent |
Turkey | 19.96 percent |
Ireland | 21.32 percent |
Egypt | 23.11 percent |
Nigeria | 25.8 percent |
Russia | 26.18 percent |
China | 30.39 percent |
Colombia | 32.86 percent |
Advice for Crossing Borders with a Caribbean Passport
Besides the benefit of dual citizenship and a plan B, obtaining Caribbean citizenship by investment and a second passport from a Caribbean country allows strategic travel planning. Passports from two countries may facilitate visa free travel to a specific destination, but one passport may provide better travel privileges than the other, such as visa free entry instead of obtaining a visa on arrival from passport control or 180 days stay instead of 90 days.
Here is an example of how a US passport holder can strategically use second citizenship and a Grenada passport when crossing borders into visa free countries.
Passport | US Passt | Grenada Passport |
Trinidad and Tobago | 90 days stay | 180 days stay |
Uganda | Must apply for an eVisa | Visa free entry |
St Vincent and the Grenadines | 180 days stay | Free movement |
Cuba | Must apply for a tourist card | Visa free entry |
While the US passport is one of the world’s most powerful passport, specific countries allow visa free travel to Grenada citizens that US citizens cannot enter without the required visa. These countries include China, Russia, and Venezuela. The Governments of Ghana and Grenada signed a visa waiver agreement in February 2024.
CARICOM Passport
The Caribbean Community, or CARICOM, is an intergovernmental organization comprising 15 member states (14 nation-states and one dependency) throughout the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean. Established in 1973, the organization includes Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago, in addition to several associate states from British Overseas Territories.
A CARICOM passport is a Caribbean community passport issued by these member states that enables intra-regional and international travel. The standard passport is dark blue, the diplomatic passport is red, and the passport for government officials is green.
Why You Should Obtain a Caribbean Passport
There are many advantages to obtaining citizenship in a Caribbean country and becoming a Caribbean passport holder. Caribbean passport holders benefit from visa free access to over 145 countries. The exact number of countries will vary between Caribbean countries. For example, Barbados passport holders enjoy visa free access to 161 countries, Bahamas passport holders can travel visa free to 154 countries, and Antigua and Barbuda passport holders have visa free travel to 152 countries.
These numbers include visa free countries, as well as countries that allow an electronic visa (eVisa), electronic travel authorization (ETA), and an on arrival visa.
The list of countries will also vary slightly depending on your Caribbean citizenship and the Caribbean passport you hold. Generally, Caribbean citizens have visa free travel to countries in the Schengen zone and the European Union, the UK, Hong Kong (up to 90 days), and Singapore (up to 30 days).
However, recent criticism of Dominica’s Caribbean citizenship by investment program no longer allows Dominica passport holders to access the UK and Ireland without a visa. Additionally, China only allows visa free entry (up to 30 days) to those with second citizenship from Dominica and Grenada. At the same time, second passport holders from Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Grenada can enter Russia without needing a visa.
Acquiring a Caribbean passport also opens you up to settlement opportunities in the United States. Grenada citizens have the opportunity to obtain a US E-2 business visa. This visa is valid for five years and allows you to live, work, and educate your children in the United States. You have the option to extend the visa and eventually apply for a Green Card (permanent residency).
Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia qualify for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, which allows them to travel for tourism and to attend business meetings in the US. This type of visa is valid for up to ten years and allows you to spend up to 180 days of the year in the United States.
Visa free entry to China
The Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, and Saint Lucia passports allow you to enter China without the need for a visa. In contrast, other Caribbean citizens require visas before traveling to China.
The following table compares the enhanced mobility of the five Caribbean countries offering citizenship by investment programs:
Antigua and Barbuda | Dominica | Grenada | St Kitts and Nevis | St Lucia | |
Global Passport Ranking | 59th | 78th | 74th | 53rd | 75th |
Visa-free China, Russia, and UK access | Russia, the UK | China, Russia | China, Russia, the UK | Russia, the UK | The UK |
Obtainment period | Three to four months | Two to three months | Three to four months | Four months | Three to four months |
How to Get Caribbean Citizenship by Investment and a Caribbean Passport
Five Caribbean countries provide Caribbean citizenship by investment programs, allowing foreign nationals to option Caribbean citizenship and a second passport. The minimum Caribbean passport cost through a Caribbean citizenship by investment program is $100,000 for an individual investor.
Foreign nationals can become a Caribbean citizen by contributing to the country’s economic development through investments such as contributing to a government fund or purchasing Caribbean real estate.
Each Caribbean citizenship program has specific eligibility criteria, which include being over 18, having a clean criminal record, having a legal income source, and being in good health.
Country | Investment Requirement |
Antigua | National Development Fund: $100,000 Approved real estate: $200,000 University of the West Indies Fund: $150,000 Enterprise Investment: $400,000 joint $5 million investment, $1.5 million sole investment |
Dominica | Economic Diversification Fund: $100,000 Approved real estate: $200,000 |
Grenada | National Transformation Fund: $150,000 Approved real estate: $220,000 (joint), $350,000 (sole) |
St Kitts | Sustainable Island State Contribution: $250,000 Approved real estate: $400,000 (joint), $800,000 (sole) Public Benefit Option: $250,000 |
St Lucia | National Economic Fund: $100,000 Approved real estate: $200,000 Enterprise Investment: $1 million joint $6 million investment, $3.5 million sole investment ($100,000 Infrastructure Option) Government bonds: $300,000 |
Take a Look at Our Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Comparison Guide
Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?
- Global approach by local experts. We are corporate members of the Investment Migration Council, with local expertise in all five Caribbean citizenship 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 to you 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.
Get in touch with a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment specialist
Frequently Asked Questions about Caribbean Passport Visa-Free Countries
A strong Caribbean passport allows the holder visa free access to over 150 countries worldwide. The specific number will vary slightly depending on which Caribbean passport you have. Saint Kitts and Nevis passport has 154 visa free destinations. Visa free destinations includes Russia, the UK, and every Schengen country.
The Bahamas passport is currently the strongest Caribbean passport. It ranks 51st on our Global Passport Index, based on enhanced global mobility, economic investment, and quality of life, and provides visa free travel to over 150 countries worldwide. Bahamas passport holders do not need to apply for a Schengen visa to visit Schengen states or obtain a visa to travel to the United Kingdom.
Caribbean passports are considered powerful because of the excellent benefits they afford their holders. For example, Caribbean passport holders enjoy visa free access to over 140 countries and favorable tax environments, including tax exemptions on inheritance and capital gains and limited taxes on personal income.
Many Caribbean nations recognize dual citizenship (or even multiple citizenship) and allow second citizenship to be passed on to future generations. Caribbean citizenship by investment programs also offer a fast obtainment period and the option to include family members to obtain citizenship in the Caribbean.
After you obtain Caribbean citizenship and a Caribbean passport, you have visa free travel (including Electronic Travel Authorization, eVisa, and visa on arrival) to more than 140 countries across the globe. The list of countries will vary slightly depending on the Caribbean country from which you have a passport, but it generally includes places like the UK, Singapore, and countries in the Schengen Area.
Citizens of specific Caribbean countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Grenada, do not require a China visa to visit China.
Whether you need a visa to visit Caribbean countries depends on your passport. For example, US passport holders can travel visa free to most Caribbean islands, whereas Egyptian passport holders have visa requirements for Grenada, Jamaica, and Saint Lucia.
Caribbean passports do not typically provide visa free access to the United States. Instead, Caribbean citizens generally need to apply for a nonimmigrant visa, such as a US B-2 tourist visa to visit the United States. Certain Caribbean passports offers perks for travel to the United States. For example, most Caribbean passport holders visiting the United States must have a passport valid for at least six months, whereas Grenada passport holders permitted entry with passports valid for the duration of their trip.
