11 reasons to get a Caribbean or Vanuatu passport right now

The Vanuatu passport can be acquired in just a month. The country’s authorities conduct all the required checks and review an application within up to 3 weeks. In comparison, in the Caribbean countries, Due Diligence takes no less than 3 months.

All the documents for citizenship are submitted electronically, and investment requirements are fulfilled remotely, which also contributes to the swiftness of the process.

The path to a Caribbean passport is a bit longer, but it is still possible to obtain it in less than a year. The turnaround time for investment citizenship is 6+ months in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St Lucia, and St Kitts and Nevis, and 8+ months in Grenada.

To compare, citizenship by naturalisation, which can be obtained in most countries, is usually granted after several years of residency.

To get a St Kitts and Nevis passport by naturalisation, one must live there for at least 14 years. In the EU, a foreigner can get residency by investment and then apply for citizenship. For example, to be eligible for a Portuguese passport, they must hold a resident status for at least 5 years.

Caribbean citizens have visa-free access to the Schengen Area with the opportunity to stay there for up to 90 days within any six-month period. Other visa-free destinations include Australia, Singapore, and South Korea. In total, Caribbean nationals can enter more than 140 countries without visas.

Citizens of some Caribbean states also enjoy visa-free access to the UK and Ireland, with permitted stays of 180 and 90 days, respectively.

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, and Grenada have signed a visa waiver agreement with China, thus citizens of these countries do not need visas to cross the Chinese border.

Citizens of Vanuatu can visit countries like Australia and Singapore without visas. Caribbean states such as Grenada or St Lucia are also open to them.

B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa. Caribbean citizens can apply for a 10-year B‑1/B‑2 Visitor Visa to the US. The Vanuatu passport holders are eligible for a 5-year B‑1/B‑2 Visa.

The visa allows the holder to stay in the USA for up to 180 days per year to travel, seek medical treatment, attend music and sports events, and participate in business meetings and conferences.

E‑2 Investor Visa. Grenada has signed an agreement on mutual investments with the United States. Under the agreement, Grenadians are entitled to an E‑2 Investor Visa if they establish or purchase a company in the US.

Although the minimum investment is not specified, the invested amount usually starts at $100,000. While owning the business, one can live, work, and study in the US without restrictions together with their family.

To obtain a B‑1/B‑2 or E‑2 visa to the US, a Vanuatu or a Caribbean passport holder can submit an application at the US consulate in any country they have visa-free access to.

Return of real estate investments in the Caribbean. Investors who obtained an Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, or St Lucia passport by real estate purchase can sell their properties after 5 years of ownership and return the invested capital.

Dominica allows the selling of real estate after 3 years, but in this case, a buyer cannot apply for citizenship by investment. Therefore, most investors sell their properties after 5 years of owning.

In St Kitts and Nevis, investment properties can be sold after 7 years.

The demand for real estate in the region remains permanent. With real estate prices increasing by around 4% each year, properties can be sold at a profit.

Yield on fund contribution in Vanuatu. Foreigners contributing to Vanuatu’s CNO Future Fund holding company can recover their money by receiving a yield. They must retain their investments for at least 5 years, and can achieve a return of up to 5% per year, equating to approximately $50,000.

Under Caribbean CBI programs, investors usually buy shares in government-approved tourist projects such as hotels and residential complexes. When properties are rented out, shareholders receive an annual yield of 2 to 5%. During the high tourist season in winter, the yield can double.

In St Kitts and Nevis, investors are also allowed to buy private homes approved by the government. The investor can rent such real estate out themselves without any third parties.

Rental costs vary depending on the time of the year, but an investor can rent out a three-bedroom apartment for at least $1,000 per month. Prices are usually higher and can reach $4,500 monthly in the peak season.

Investors do not need to concern themselves with property maintenance or the finding of a tenant — a management company handles everything.

Examples of real estate in St Kitts and Nevis

St Kitts & Nevis, Frigate Bay

$325,000 — $4,000,000

Share in a villa and apartments in a luxury hotel complex

58 m² — 426 m²

1—3

1—4

St Kitts & Nevis, Basseterre

$350,000+

Fraction in five star hotel under management of Hyatt Group

St Kitts & Nevis, Basseterre

$440,000+

Share in a 5-star hotel managed by Hyatt

Investors with Caribbean and Vanuatu passports can open accounts in many reputable banks worldwide, including those in Europe. They can keep savings in hard currencies and transfer money more swiftly without currency control and additional fees.

An international bank account simplifies the processes of paying suppliers from different countries, receiving payments from global clients, and managing payroll for international employees. It also provides additional levels of fund security.

The governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Grenada, Dominica, St Lucia, St Kitts and Nevis, and Vanuatu are keen to attract foreign capital. Therefore, these countries offer favourable taxation and are often referred to as tax havens.

The Caribbean countries don’t tax inheritance and capital gains. Antigua and Barbuda and St Kitts and Nevis don’t have taxes on personal income. Other exemptions include:

• interest, dividends, and royalties in Antigua and Barbuda;

• wealth, gifts, and personal income outside the country in Dominica;

• interest, royalties, and personal income outside the country in Grenada;

• dividends, interest, royalties, wealth, and gifts in St Kitts and Nevis;

• dividends and personal income outside the country in St Lucia.

In Vanuatu, individuals do not pay taxes on income, wealth, inheritance, capital gains, and capital export. International Business Companies, or IBCs, registered in the country are exempt from taxes for 20 years and only pay an annual fee of $300.

Investors obtaining citizenship in a Caribbean state or Vanuatu don’t need to be present in the chosen country to file an application. Documents are prepared and submitted by Immigrant Invest.

The investment is also done remotely. In the case of real estate purchases, Immigrant Invest lawyers provide investors with photos and videos of suitable properties and sign sales and purchase contracts on the applicants’ behalf.

In most cases, investors do not need to travel to the country to collect their citizenship documents: certificates and passports can be sent at a chosen address. The only exception is St Kitts and Nevis, where applicants are required to come for their documents in person.

Applicants do not have to reside in the selected country to maintain their status. Residency requirements are only established by the authorities of Antigua and Barbuda and are relatively simple; investors and their families must spend five days in Antigua and Barbuda within the first five years after obtaining citizenship.

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and Vanuatu permit the inclusion of spouses of the opposite sex and minor children in the application.

The inclusion of other relatives depends on the specific program. All family members added to the application must be fully or significantly financially supported by the main applicant.

In Antigua and Barbuda, one can add adult children up to 30 years old if they are university students. It is also permitted to include parents over 55 and unmarried siblings of any age.

Dominica allows the addition of children under 30 who are studying at universities, as well as parents and grandparents over 65.

In Grenada, main applicants can include children under 30 and parents and grandparents of any age. Siblings over 18, who are unmarried, and without children of their own can also be added to the application.

Under the St Kitts and Nevis CBI Program, investors can add parents over 55 and children under 25. The latter must be full-time students at recognised secondary or tertiary-level learning institutions.

In St Lucia, the main applicant can include their children under 30, parents over 55, and siblings under 18, provided there is consent from the parents or guardians for the siblings to participate in the program.

Vanuatu allows the inclusion of children under 25 if they are full-time students. If they are not financially dependent, they must reside with the investor in the same household. Parents over 55 who live with them can also be included in the application.

Caribbean and Vanuatu citizens can enter the country of their citizenship at any time and stay there as long as they wish, even if the borders are closed to tourists. This can be especially beneficial during instabilities in one’s country of origin or residency.

Investors may choose to relocate permanently to enjoy the peaceful environment and warm climate year-round, or visit the Caribbean or Vanuatu for short trips.

Caribbean countries and Vanuatu recognise dual and multiple citizenship. Thus, their citizens don’t need to renounce other passports upon obtaining a new one. This is only true if a country of the investor’s other citizenship also allows having two passports.

For example, Algeria permits its citizens to hold two or more passports, so they can retain their Algerian passports when obtaining Caribbean or Vanuatu nationality. In contrast, China prohibits dual citizenship, requiring Chinese nationals to renounce their Chinese passports if they acquire another nationality.

Dual passport holders enjoy rights in both countries of their citizenship and can seek consular assistance at consulates of either of their countries worldwide.

Eligibility criteria for the main applicant. An investor applying for a Caribbean or Vanuatu passport must be over 18, have a clean criminal record, be able to confirm the legality of their income, and not suffer from any serious illnesses.

Additionally, applicants for Vanuatu citizenship by investment must have at least $250,000 available in their bank account.

Documents. The list of required documents may vary depending on the citizenship program and the investor’s background and circumstances. However, some mandatory documents include the following:

• a valid passport;

• a citizenship application form;

• a certificate of no criminal record — from all countries the applicant has lived for more than a year since being 16;

• a birth certificate;

• a marriage or divorce certificate, if applicable;

• bank account statements — to prove the financial sufficiency and legality of the income;

• health insurance.

The applicant might also be required to provide a CV, medical certificates, affidavits, university degrees, bank recommendations, or other documents. All papers must be in English, and all copies must be notarised and apostilled.

Investment. Under citizenship by investment programs, applicants contribute to funds, buy real estate, purchase bonds and shares, or invest in businesses.

Vanuatu has a minimum investment threshold of $130,000 that must be contributed to the state fund. Applicants for Caribbean CBI programs are required to pay $200,000—250,000.

Additional fees. In general, investors pay fees for Due Diligence, application processing, and passport issuance. These fees vary depending on the country. The Caribbean states also have obligatory interviews, costing $1,000—1,500 per application.

Investment options under Caribbean and Vanuatu CBI Programs

Country

Vanuatu

Fund contribution

$130,000+

Real estate

—

Other options

$157,000 — shares of the CNO Future Fund

Country

Dominica

Fund contribution

$200,000+

Real estate

$200,000+

Other options

—

Country

Antigua and Barbuda

Fund contribution

$230,000+ — to the National Development Fund (NDF)

$260,000+ — to a higher education institution

Real estate

$300,000+

Other options

$1,500,000+ — business investments

Country

Grenada

Fund contribution

$235,000+

Real estate

$270,000+

Other options

—

Country

St Lucia

Fund contribution

$240,000+

Real estate

$300,000+

Other options

$250,000+ — business investments

$300,000+ — government bonds

Country

St Kitts and Nevis

Fund contribution

$250,000+

Real estate

$325,000+

Other options

$250,000+ — supporting a Public Benefits Project

1. Caribbean and Vanuatu passports attract foreigners for several reasons: increased global mobility, a long-term visa to the United States, an opportunity to earn rental income, access to international bank accounts, tax optimisation, and creation of a safe haven and home overseas.

2. Caribbean countries and Vanuatu allow obtaining citizenship by investment.

3. To acquire a passport, foreigners must contribute at least $130,000 to Vanuatu’s economy, or $200,000+ to the economy of a Caribbean state, depending on the chosen program.

4. The entire process, from preliminary Due Diligence to the fulfilment of investment conditions, spans from 1 to 6 months.