10 reasons why Caribbean citizenship is so popular

Holders of Caribbean passports can travel freely to over 145 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and Singapore. Passports of Grenada, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda also allow visa-free entry to China.

Besides, holders of a Caribbean Community passport can enter the country of their citizenship even if its borders are closed to foreigners.

Caribbean citizenship by investment

Caribbean citizenship also allows faster access to a US B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa, valid for 10 years. The visa can be obtained within 2 or 3 weeks at a US consulate. In comparison, citizens of other countries may wait for half a year or longer to get a US visa.

Investors with Grenada citizenship can obtain a 5-year E‑2 visa to the USA for themselves and their families by making a significant investment in an American business. This visa permits unlimited entry to the US, the ability to live and work in the country, and the opportunity to send children to American schools and universities.

1. Safe haven. Investors can relocate to a Caribbean country of their citizenship during unforeseen circumstances, such as political instability. They can enter the country at any time, even when borders are closed to foreigners.

2. Passport for the whole family. Caribbean countries allow investors to obtain citizenship with their spouses, children, and parents. Some states allow grandparents and siblings to get passports.

3. Cost-efficient investment. Caribbean citizenship programs are among the most affordable, with a minimum investment of $200,000.

4. Second citizenship in less than a year. The process of getting a Caribbean passport takes 6+ months. In comparison, EU citizenship by naturalisation usually requires at least 5 years of residency.

5. International business. Caribbean countries allow investors to register a company and conduct business. According to the International Monetary Fund, Caribbean countries have higher economic growth than the EU or the USA.

6. Tax optimisation. Some Caribbean countries do not levy taxes on inheritance, gift, capital gains, or foreign income.

7. Second passport for future generations. The Caribbean citizenship can be passed down to investor’s children and grandchildren.

8. Access to reputable banks. Caribbean citizens can quickly open accounts with international banks, including European ones.

9. Prestigious British education for children. Investors receive benefits when applying to some UK universities, as Caribbean countries are part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Caribbean citizenship can be obtained in various ways, such as naturalisation or marriage to a citizen of the chosen country.

Naturalisation generally takes at least 7 years of residency. In St Kitts and Nevis, it takes 14 years of residency.

Citizenship through marriage is faster, with foreign spouses eligible after 1 to 3 years of marriage and residency.

The fastest route to Caribbean citizenship is to participate in a citizenship by investment program.

The minimum investment amount varies depending on the country and the chosen investment option. For example, Dominica offers the lowest investment threshold for single investors, who can obtain citizenship with a $200,000 contribution to a state fund.

An investor’s family members obtain citizenship under the same application: as a rule, a spouse, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings can qualify. The cost of their participation depends on the country and the chosen investment option.

Investors and their families generally don’t need to visit the country, pass a language or history exam, or obtain a residence permit. Exceptions include Antigua and Barbuda, where investors must spend at least 5 days in the country within the first 5 years, and St Kitts and Nevis, where applicants must collect their citizenship documents in person.

All applicants for Caribbean citizenship must pass a Due Diligence check and undergo an interview. The interview can be conducted online and in a language of the investor’s choice, with an interpreter provided if needed.

Antigua and Barbuda consists of two main islands to the east of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, and to the north of Guadeloupe. The country offers one of the newest citizenship programs in the Caribbean, which was launched in 2013.

There are four investment options under the Antigua and Barbuda CBI program:

1. A non-refundable contribution to the National Development Fund. The minimum investment is $230,000 for any number of applicants.

2. Real estate purchase. Investors buy shares or properties in government-approved projects, with a minimum value of $300,000. The investment requirement is the same for both a single applicant or a family of up to five members.

3. Donation to a higher education institution. This non-refundable option is available for families of six or more, with a minimum contribution of $260,000.

4. Business investment. A sole investor needs to spend $1.5 million or more to develop a company in the country. The business investment can also be done collectively. In this case, the minimum investment is $5 million, with each applicant contributing at least $400,000.

Most investment options in Antigua and Barbuda are suitable for large families, with citizenship extended to the investor’s spouse, children under 30, siblings, and parents or grandparents over 55.

Dominica is located in the Eastern Caribbean, between the French islands of Guadeloupe to the north and Martinique to the south. The country launched the citizenship by investment program in 1993.

Dominica offers two investment options with the most affordable requirements among Caribbean countries:

1. Non-refundable contribution to the Economic Diversification Fund. The minimum investment is $200,000 for a single investor and $250,000 for a family of four.

2. Real estate purchase. Applicants invest $200,000 or more in government-approved properties. The property can be sold after 3 years, but if sold to another investor, ownership must be held for at least 5 years.

Investor’s family members eligible for a Dominica passport include a spouse, children under 30, unmarried daughters under 25, and parents and grandparents over 65.

Grenada is located in the southeastern Caribbean, north of Trinidad and Tobago, and southwest of St Vincent and the Grenadines. The Grenada citizenship program has been working since 2013.

To obtain a passport in Grenada, investors choose one of the two options:

1. Non-refundable contribution to the National Transformation Fund. The contribution amount is the same both for a single investor and a family of four — $235,000 or more.

2. Real estate purchase. The minimum investment for a share in government-approved real estate projects in tourism, agriculture, or other sectors is $270,000. In other cases, the sum of the purchased property must be at least $350,000.

Grenada’s program extends to spouses, children under 30, parents, grandparents, and siblings over 18.

St Lucia lies north of St Vincent and the Grenadines, south of Martinique, and west of Barbados.

Citizenship by investment program in St Lucia is also one of the newest: it was launched in 2015.

St Lucia offers the widest range of investment options:

1. Non-refundable contribution to the National Economic Fund of St Lucia — $240,000+. The investment sum does not depend on the family composition.

2. Purchase of non-interest-bearing government bonds — $300,000+. The investment can be fully redeemed in 5 years, allowing the investor to return the money.

3. Real estate purchase — $300,000+. The investment amount is the same regardless of the number of applicants. The property can be sold after 5 years.

4. Infrastructure project investment — $250,000+. A foreigner invests in government-approved projects in St Lucia, such as ports, bridges, roads, and highways.

5. Business investment — at least $1,000,000 if part of a group investment totalling $6 million or more. For a sole investor, the minimum amount is $3.5 million.

The investor’s spouse, children under 30, parents over 55, and siblings under 18 can also get citizenship under the investment program.

St Kitts and Nevis consists of islands located to the west of Antigua and Barbuda and southeast of the US Virgin Islands. The country’s citizenship by investment program, established in 1984, is the oldest in the world.

There are three options for investors in St Kitts and Nevis to choose from:

1. Non-refundable contribution to the Federal Consolidated Fund. The minimum investment amount is $250,000 for a single investor or a family of four.

2. Real estate purchase. Investors can purchase a share in a government-approved real estate project or a condominium unit for at least $325,000. The minimum investment for a single-family private dwelling is $600,000. The property can be sold after 7 years.

3. Public Benefit Option. Applicants invest $250,000 or more in initiatives that are considered Approved Public Benefit Projects.

Investors can include their spouse, children under 25, and parents over 55 in their citizenship application.

Caribbean citizenship can be obtained with a minimum investment of $200,000, and the process typically takes 6 months or more. This method is relatively fast and affordable compared to other countries, such as Malta, where investors must spend at least €690,000 and hold a residence permit for 1 to 3 years.

Investors additionally pay state and administrative fees, Due Diligence costs, and fees for document preparation services. These expenses vary depending on the program, the number of applicants, and their ages.

Real estate chosen for investment under a citizenship program must be approved by a government of the chosen country. Typically, applicants buy shares or apartments in hotel complexes.

Shares in Caribbean real estate may be in physical properties, trust, or bonds. The cost of shares ranges from $200,000 to $440,000, with apartments costing up to several million dollars.

Private houses can be purchased when obtaining a passport in St Kitts and Nevis. These properties must also be government-approved and require investments of at least $600,000.

Investors can sell their properties after a period which is specified by each particular country and ranges from 3 to 7 years.

The shortest ownership period is in Dominica: there, investors can sell real estate after 3 years. However, it cannot be sold to other investors seeking a Dominica passport as the property can re-enter the program only after 5 years. That’s why, in practice, investors sell real estate after 5 years.

St Kitts and Nevis requires investors to hold real estate for 7 years before selling it. Properties bought in Grenada, St Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda can be sold after 5 years.

Examples of investment real estate in Dominica

Dominica, Roseau

$220,000+

Share in a resort on the coast of Dominica managed by Hilton

1—3

Dominica, Portsmouth

$220,000 — $320,000

Share in a five-star resort managed by Autograph Collections (premium branded by Marriott)

1—2

Dominica, Portsmouth

$270,000+

Share in a five-star hotel managed by Intercontinental

1. Caribbean citizenship by investment is popular with investors due to the benefits it offers. The key benefits include visa-free travel, business opportunities, tax optimisation, short obtaining time, and citizenship for the whole family.

2. A Caribbean islands passport allows investors to visit over 145 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, and Singapore. Additionally, citizens of Grenada, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda can enter China without a visa.

3. Investors can choose from a variety of investment options to obtain citizenship, including contributions to state funds, real estate purchases, and business investments.

4. Caribbean citizenship programs are relatively affordable compared to other countries. The investment threshold in Caribbean countries is $200,000—250,000 for non-refundable contributions and $200,000—600,000 for property purchases.

5. Investors and their families are not required to pass language or history exams or constantly live in the country. The only exception is Antigua and Barbuda, where investors must visit the country for at least 5 days during the first 5 years.