The Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programs allow individuals to acquire citizenship in exchange for making a financial contribution to the host country’s economy. More than 50,000 people use this route every year to diversify their passport portfolios. While many countries offer so-called golden visas, only 20 countries currently offer citizenship by investment.
The five Caribbean Golden Passport programs offer the cheapest second passports worldwide, which provide various tax and business advantages as well as visa-free travel to more than 140 countries including Schengen states, the UK, China, India, Russia, Brazil, and Argentina.
The demand for second passports has hit an all-time high worldwide. Once considered a niche, obtaining multiple citizenships is now an integral part of financial and personal planning. Entrepreneurs and small company owners are using second citizenship as a protection against geopolitical and economic risks in their own country. The idea of creating a “passport portfolio” mirrors the principles of financial diversification.
The popularity and demand for the Caribbean CBI programs mean that majority of CBI applications worldwide are for the following five countries:
- Grenada,
- Antigua and Barbuda,
- Kitts and Nevis,
- Dominica,
- Saint Lucia.
These five islands offer an attractive package of benefits including:
- Visa-free travel
- Quick processing times, often within 3-6 months
- No physical residency requirements
- A tropical paradise lifestyle
- Tax and business advantages.
Applications typically include three routes: donation to a government fund; real estate investment, or business or entrepreneurial investment. Below is a brief overview of the individual country schemes:1
1. Antigua and Barbuda
With options starting at US$230,000 for a National Development Fund contribution or US$325,000 for real estate, Antigua and Barbuda is one of the leading choices. The island is famous for its 365 beaches; it has a warm and pleasant tropical climate and a vibrant cultural blend of African, British, and Indigenous influences. Lifetime citizenship offers visa-free travel to over 150 countries and a chance to pass it on to your descendants.
2. Dominica
Dominica’s CBI programme requires a US$200,000 donation to the Economic Diversification Fund or real estate investment of the same amount. Dominica features rainforests, waterfalls, and geothermal springs, making it attractive to anyone who loves nature. Its climate averages 26°C (79°F) year-round. The Dominican passport also allows wide global mobility, with the exception of visa-free access to the UK or China.
3. Grenada
Grenada’s citizenship by investment programme starts at US$235,000 National Transformation Fund Contribution or a $270,000 real estate investment. It includes visa-free access to over 140 countries, including the UK, China, and Russia. What is attractive to investors is that Grenada has an E-2 Investor Visa treaty with the US. Grenada is known as the “Spice Isle”, featuring lush plantations, volcanic landscapes, and beaches and wonderfully warm climate.
4. St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Kitts and Nevis requires a US$250,000 Public Benefit Option Contribution, a Sustainable Island State Contribution for the same amount, or a US$400,000 real estate investment. Its golden passport will offer the holder visa-free access to 150+ countries.
Its tropical climate ranges from 24°C-31°C, and the island’s history offers a rich cultural heritage to explore.
5. Saint Lucia
Saint Lucia’s CBI options start at US$240,000 for a donation or a US$300,000 real estate investment. The smooth application process typically lasts for 4–6 months, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 140 countries. The island is famous for its Pitons, rainforests, and springs – ideal for anyone looking for rest and relaxation.
