Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programmes

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment provides a fast, reliable way to obtain a second passport without relocating, through established programmes in five jurisdictions. Investors typically qualify by making a donation or approved investment starting around USD 200,000-250,000, with overall costs influenced by family size and government fees. The best option depends on individual priorities such as processing speed, total cost of ownership, family eligibility, and long-term mobility and risk considerations.

Table Of Contents

Where is Caribbean Citizenship by Investment available?
How Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Works
The Big Five
Pros and cons of Caribbean CBI
What “Total Cost” Really Means
How to Choose Among the Caribbean CBI Countries
How Premier Consultancy Can Help
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
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Thinking about a fast, reliable route to a second nationality? The Caribbean hosts the world’s most established Citizenship by Investment options. Citizenship by investment countries in the Caribbean are known to balance speed, security, and value for professionals, entrepreneurs, and families seeking a practical “Plan B,” without uprooting their lives.

Where is Caribbean Citizenship by Investment available?

Caribbean Citizenship by Investment (CBI) is currently offered by five primary jurisdictions, collectively the core countries in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia.

Each programme provides a legal route to a second passport in return for a qualifying contribution or investment. Designed for investors and their families, applications typically require a clean criminal record, proof of funds, good health, and successful completion of due diligence checks. None requires you to live in the country before or after approval, and filings are generally completed remotely.

How Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Works

Most programmes follow the same four steps:

Select your route (state contribution or approved investment).
Undergo due diligence (comprehensive background checks on all applicants).
Receive approval in principle, then complete the investment or contribution.
Obtain citizenship and a passport, with no relocation requirement.

Typical investment options include:

Non-refundable contribution to a national development or state fund.
Approved real estate investment.
Additional routes in select programmes, such as St Lucia’s government bond option or St Kitts and Nevis public benefit projects.

Minimum investment levels for a single applicant commonly start at around USD 200,000–250,000 (donation vs real estate). Total costs rise with family size due to additional government and due-diligence fees.

The Big Five

Rules and thresholds evolve. Treat the notes below as guidance; Premier Consultancy will confirm current details and model the true cost for your family profile.

Antigua & Barbuda

Its CBI offers a strong family-friendly proposition and a strong Antigua passport, making it an appealing programme for families of four or more, including family-focused donation options. Check the current post-approval stay requirement and plan your travel timing accordingly.

Dominica

Offers a streamlined administration and predictable processing. Its CBI programme is often cited as a cost-effective option to obtain a Dominica passport for single applicants and small families, with full quote costs including fees and legalisation.

Grenada

Offers attractive mobility plus treaty advantages, such as separate US processes, and good travel access via a Grenada passport. This programme is popular with entrepreneurs who need specific corridors. When choosing the real estate option, vet the developer’s track record and hold periods, as this contribution may be non-recoverable.

St Kitts and Nevis

The oldest programme since 1983, it has a strong reputation and broad mobility. Routes include government fund contributions and approved real estate. The St Kitts and Nevis passport is one of the country’s main draws, along with its efficient process and policy stability.

St Lucia

St. Lucia’s CBI programme offers flexible pathways, including its unique government bond route among Caribbean peers. If you plan to take this route, we recommend reviewing the lock-in periods, redemption rules, and overall fees.

Pros and cons of Caribbean CBI

Pros

Fast and predictable processing with no residency obligations.
Family inclusion (spouse, dependent children, often parents/grandparents).
Mobility: visa-free or visa-on-arrival access across key regions for business, education, and medical travel.
Remote process via authorised agents.

Cons

Donations are non-recoverable; property routes add exit planning.
Market logistics for real estate (holding periods, resale timelines, liquidity).
Policy updates happen; keep documentation current.
Rigorous compliance with the source of funds/wealth.

What “Total Cost” Really Means

The “cheapest” doesn’t always mean “best value.” Look beyond the headline price as government fees & due diligence vary by route and family size. Consider the professional and legalisation costs (notarisation, apostilles, translations, courier, banking/FX) that will be incurred during the process.

Compare the immediate cost versus the long-term costs of a donation or an asset: donations are simpler, while real estate can retain value but adds holding and exit costs. Also, look far ahead 10 to 15 years at the cost of passport renewals and administration, as well as the additional fees when adding dependents.

Determine if the cost is worth it by considering these factors:

Annualised Cost of Ownership (ACO):
- Donation: (donation + fees) ÷ years of expected use.
- Property: (purchase + fees – realistic resale + holding costs) ÷ years.
Speed premium: If you have time-critical mobility needs, faster approval can justify a higher headline figure.
Risk reduction: A reputable, long-running programme may save you from refusal risk and policy volatility.

How to Choose Among the Caribbean CBI Countries

Clarify your main priority: Is it the fastest route, lowest total cost, strongest mobility, or what’s best for larger families?

List down the fundamentals: Compare the minimum investment, eligible dependants, total fees by family size, and key mobility/tax features.

Check for stay rules and compliance: None of the five Caribbean countries require residence, but day-count and tax residency rules still apply.

Speak with a qualified adviser: The programme terms and pricing are subject to change, so it’s best to get current data and a compliance-ready plan from a trusted agency.

Universal Checks Before You Commit

True total cost: Donation/investment, government & due-diligence fees, legalisation (notary, apostille, translations), and courier/banking/FX.

Document readiness: Birth/marriage certificates, passports, proof of address, bank statements, contracts of sale/dividends, tax filings.

Risk screen: Disclose historic issues early; non-disclosure is grounds for refusal/revocation.

Timeline realism: Allow for follow-up queries and biometrics/logistics where applicable.

How Premier Consultancy Can Help

Premier Consultancy offers comprehensive services covering the full process, including programme matching by creating a side-by-side comparison focused on the total cost of ownership for your family profile. We’ll help with the forensic file build by establishing a clear money trail and providing translations, notarisation, and apostilles to ensure compliance and prevent delays.

When investing in real estate, we’ll conduct title and escrow checks for the property and issuer, as well as redemption checks for bonds/funds, to ensure properties are properly vetted. We’ll also handle tax and succession alignment, including coordinating tax obligations, as well as processing renewals, additions for family members, and property exits.

Book a confidential consultation with Premier Consultancy and receive a custom, approval-ready plan for the ideal Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programme tailored to your goals.

References:

The Caribbean Islands That Give You a Passport If You Buy a Home. Retrieved on 19 December 2025 from https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cly88xg5d9vo
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment Programme. Retrieved on 19 December 2025 from https://cip.gov.ag/

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Do I need to live in the country to keep my Caribbean citizenship?

No. None of the five programmes (Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia) requires residency before or after approval. Your tax residency remains determined by where you actually spend your time and comply with local tax rules.

How long does the CBI process usually take?

Most CBI applications are completed in a few months once due diligence begins. Timelines depend on document quality, the complexity of your source of funds, and government workload.

Can I include my family in my CBI application?

Yes. Spouses and dependent children are commonly eligible, with many programmes allowing children in full-time education up to a set age. Parents/grandparents may be included in several schemes. Exact rules and ages vary; Premier Consultancy will map this against your household.

What are the main investment options for Caribbean Citizenship by Investment?

Typically, either a non-refundable state contribution or approved real estate with a minimum hold period (often five years; some St Kitts and Nevis options can be longer). St Lucia also offers a government bond route; St Kitts and Nevis has public benefit projects.

What are the real costs beyond the headline minimum?

Budget for government fees, due-diligence charges per applicant/dependant, professional and legalisation costs (notarisation, apostilles, certified translations), courier/banking/FX, and—if you choose property—ownership and exit costs. Premier Consultance can help compute the total cost of ownership for your exact family profile.

Will those who avail of Citizenship by Investment in the Caribbean become tax residents of those countries?

Not automatically. Citizenship is distinct from tax residency. You become a tax resident where you meet the presence and local rules. We coordinate with tax advisers to plan your day-counts, reporting, and structures.

What proof of funds do I need to apply for a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programme?

A clear, traceable money trail. Typical evidence includes salary/dividend records, business sale contracts, property sale proceeds, inheritance documents, and bank statements. Consistency in name and date across all records is essential.

Donation vs real estate—how should I choose?

Donation routes are simpler and faster but non-recoverable. Real estate can retain value, but adds hold periods, maintenance, and resale timing risk. At Premier Consultancy, we’ll help compare both options using an annualised cost of ownership so you can decide with confidence.

Can I add family members later?

Usually yes, subject to programme rules and fees at the time of addition (e.g., a new spouse or newborn). Planning ahead is still wise; adding later can cost more than including now.

Do I need to visit the country when applying for a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment?

Most applications are fully remote. Antigua and Barbuda has a post-approval visit requirement; we will confirm the latest rules and scheduling options during your consultation.

What if I have a past legal issue?

All applicants undergo rigorous due diligence. Non-violent, well-documented historic issues may not be fatal, but sanctions, serious criminal records, or conflicting declarations can lead to refusal. We pre-screen risk factors before filing.

Can my citizenship be revoked?

Governments can rescind citizenship for fraud, misrepresentation, or serious post-approval criminality under programme laws. A clean, truthful file is the best protection, hence our emphasis on documentation accuracy.

How long is the passport valid, and how do renewals work?

Caribbean passports typically have multi-year validity (e.g., five or ten years depending on the country). Renewals are straightforward administrative processes. We provide reminders and renewal support.

Does dual citizenship cause issues with my current nationality?

All five Caribbean CBI countries allow dual citizenship. Check your home country’s rules; most permit multiple nationalities, but some restrict or require notification. We can coordinate advice where needed.

What’s the first step if I am interested in a Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programme?

Contact Premier Consultancy for a brief discovery call. We will align your goals (speed, mobility, family inclusion, asset retention) with the most suitable programme, provide a written cost breakdown, and issue a document checklist to start your file build.