Demand for second passports is soaring globally. Once a niche tactic, multiple citizenship has become a crucial component of financial and personal planning. Record numbers of people are pursuing greater global mobility and economic advantages. This trend extends beyond nations with weaker passports, with even wealthy Americans joining the movement.
Family office advisers report an unprecedented surge in interest, with clients leveraging second citizenship to access visa-free travel, secure alternative residences, and broaden their business reach. The idea of a “passport portfolio” is rapidly gaining recognition as a safeguard against the risks of single-country citizenship, akin to financial diversification.
But what is the best and easiest route to second passports? Citizenship by Investment (CBI) programmes began in 1984, and currently around 50,000 people obtain citizenship through Citizenship by Investment Programmes each year.
According to Caribbean Golden Passport Advisors, specialists in the CBI Programmes in the Caribbean, the five Caribbean Islands with Citizenship By Investment schemes offer the most straightforward and transparent opportunities, with the benefits including visa-free travel to more than 140 countries (such as the UK, Europe Schengen states, India, China, Russia, Brazil, and Argentina), tax and business advantages as well as security and safety. The passports are valid for life and can be passed onto future generations. Below is a brief guide.
1. Grenada
- A donation of US$235,000 or a real estate investment starting at US$270,000.
- A four-to-six-month application period is smooth, and you need to make the investment only after receiving approval.
- Visa-Free or Visa on Arrival Countries: over 140 countries, including the UK, Schengen Area, Argentina, Brazil, China, India, and Russia.
- There is no physical residency requirement.
2. Antigua and Barbuda
- A donation of US$230,000 or a real estate investment starting at US$325,000. There are also several business establishment options, whether for joint or individual investment.
- The process is generally smooth and takes about three to four months, allowing the whole family to be included in the application.
- Visa-Free or Visa on Arrival Countries: over 150 countries.
- One unique requirement is spending five days in the country during the first five years of citizenship.
3. St. Kitts and Nevis
- A donation of US$250,000 or a real estate investment starting at US$400,000.
- The process takes about four to six months.
- Visa-Free or Visa on Arrival Countries: over 150 countries.
- World’s oldest Citizenship by Investment programme, dating back to 1984.
- There is no physical residency requirement.
4. Dominica
- A US$200,000 donation to the Economic Diversification Fund or a real estate investment of the same amount.
- Processing is efficient, taking roughly three to four months.
- Visa-Free or Visa on Arrival Countries: over 140 countries, however, Dominican passport holders don’t have visa-free travel to the UK and China.
- There is no physical residency requirement.
5. Saint Lucia
- A donation of US$240,000 or a real estate investment of US$300,000.
- Applicants can gain citizenship within four to six months.
- Visa-Free or Visa on Arrival Countries: over 140 countries.
- There is no physical residency requirement.
Final Thoughts
Two primary factors influence the attractiveness of a second passport: visa-free access and cost per passport. Caribbean CBI programmes excel in both areas. Each island offers a unique mix of benefits and the cost per passport can be checked at Caribbean CBI Programmes’ country pages e,g Grenada CBI Programme page where up-to-date information can be found.
