The Caribbean passport has recently emerged as one of the most attractive and powerful passports in the world. An extremely popular route for investors and their families to obtain citizenship here is through a Caribbean citizenship program. There are only five countries in the Caribbean region that offer citizenship by investment (or CBI) programs to foreign investors. They are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts and Nevis, and St Lucia.
Be it a relaxed lifestyle, world-class infrastructure, or a steady economy, the Caribbean has it all and has, therefore, become the number one choice for investment among foreign investors over the years. You can obtain Caribbean citizenship and a passport by making a qualifying investment starting from $100,000. In this article, we will take you through the process of getting Caribbean citizenship by investment – the advantages, requirements, investment options, and more.
Benefits of a Caribbean Passport
With a passport from the Caribbean, high-net-worth individuals enjoy the many benefits of obtaining citizenship in a country that is part of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM):
- The fast application process means you can obtain citizenship within two to four months
- Enjoy visa-free travel to over 140 countries, including countries in the Schengen Zone and the UK
- Caribbean countries have tax-friendly benefits, such as no inheritance tax or capital gains tax
- There are little to no residency requirements
- You can apply for citizenship for your whole family
- Dual citizenship is allowed
- There are excellent education opportunities
- The entire process is entirely confidential
Calculate the cost of citizenship for you and your family, including all associated fees.
Why is Caribbean citizenship by investment popular?
Caribbean citizenship by investment is highly popular for individuals looking for a second passport with excellent advantages. Caribbean passport benefits include visa-free access to more than 140 countries worldwide, including places like the EU Schengen Zone and the UK.
The CBI programs also offer diverse investment schemes, such as business investment opportunities, purchasing real estate, donating to a university or government fund, or purchasing government bonds.
Finally, Caribbean citizens benefit from favorable tax policies and exemptions that help them optimize their taxes and plan for their futures.
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Programs
The Caribbean region offers some of the most affordable citizenship by investment schemes in the world. In exchange for a qualifying economic investment, you can obtain a second passport for you and your family, yielding various benefits, as discussed above.
Country | Minimum non-refundabale investment | Minimum real estate investment | Passport validity |
Dominica | €100,00 | $200,00 | ten years |
St Kitts and Nevis | $250,00 | $400,00 | ten years |
Grenada | €150 | $220,00 | five years |
St Lucia | $100,00 | $200,00 | five years |
Antigua and Barbuda | $100,00 | $200,00 | five years |
Diverse investment options
There are various investment options through which you can obtain a second passport in the Caribbean. For instance, in all five Caribbean countries that offer citizenship by investment, you can obtain a passport in return for a real estate investment or contribution to a public fund.
The most affordable investment that you can opt for is the non-refundable donation to a government fund. The investment made is generally distributed for the development of various sectors like tourism, transport, infrastructure, the building of new schools and hospitals, and the maintenance of cultural heritage.
The second most popular investment route after the fund donation option is real estate investment. You can invest in government-approved construction projects to obtain Caribbean citizenship. This option is very attractive as after three to seven years of purchasing real estate, you can sell it off and get back your money. During this period, you can also profit from rental income, depending on the investment property.
Other investment alternatives include business investment (only valid in Saint Lucia and Antigua and Barbuda) and a one-time donation to the University of the West Indies Fund or UWI Fund (applicable in Antigua and Barbuda).
Increased mobility
With a passport from the Caribbean, you can enjoy visa-free travel to over 140 countries worldwide. Caribbean citizens can travel to popular places like the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Singapore without a visa and also apply for a US business visa.
Country | Visa-free countries |
St Kitts and Nevis | 153 |
Antigua and Barbuda | 150 |
St Lucia | 148 |
Grenada | 147 |
Dominica | 146 |
Minimum tax burden
Since most of the Caribbean countries that offer citizenship by investment also provide great tax benefits, the Caribbean region is considered a tax haven. The tax regime in the region is particularly beneficial for international companies operating outside their home country and for non-tax residents in the Caribbean, which applies to most applicants under the citizenship by investment programs. Few countries also don’t have various taxes at all. For instance, you don’t have to pay any property tax in Dominica, and in St Kitts and Nevis and Antigua and Barbuda, there is no income tax.
Tax | St Kitts and Nevis | Antigua and Barbuda | Dominica | Grenada | St Lucia |
Income tax | No tax | No tax | Tax applicable | Tax applicable | Tax applicable |
Foreign income tax | No tax | No tax | No tax | No tax | No tax |
Property tax | Tax applicable | Tax applicable | No tax | Tax applicable | Tax applicable |
Wealth tax | Tax applicable | No tax | No tax | No tax | No tax |
Inheritance tax | No tax | No tax | No tax | No tax | No tax |
Gift tax | No tax | Tax applicable | No tax | No tax | No tax |
Capital gains tax | No tax | No tax | No tax | No tax | No tax |
Stamp duty | Tax applicable | Tax applicable | No tax | No tax | Tax applicable |
Family-friendly approach
Under the citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean, you can include your family members – spouse, children (including from previous marriages), parents and grandparents, and siblings in your application. Please note that the eligibility requirements and rules vary from country to country.
Country | Eligible family members |
Grenada | Spouse, financially dependent children under 30 years old, parents, grandparents, and unmarried siblings |
St Kitts and Nevis | Spouse, financially dependent children below 30 years, and parents over 65 years old |
Dominica | Spouse, financially dependent children below 30 years, parents and grandparents over 65 years |
Antigua and Barbuda | Spouse, financially dependent children under 28, siblings, and parents and grandparents over 55 years |
St Lucia | Spouse, financially dependent children not older than 25 years of age, siblings under 18, parents and grandparents over 65 years |
Dual citizenship with remote processing
The application for your citizenship by investment program in the Caribbean can only be submitted through Authorized Agents, such as Global Citizen Solutions. They also enable you to obtain your second passport without leaving your house, as investment applications can be completed remotely. Apart from Antigua and Barbuda, you are not required to visit the new country of citizenship to maintain this status. Your passport will be delivered to an address of your choice after four to six months.
Citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean enable dual citizenship, as the countries offering the programs do not require you to renounce your current nationality to obtain your second citizenship.
Confidential process
The application process for the citizenship by investment programs is kept confidential. The government guarantees the complete security of your and your family’s information.
Step-by-Step Procedure to Obtain Caribbean Citizenship by Investment
You can follow the following steps to get second citizenship in the Caribbean:
Document preparation and submission – As the first step, you will need to collect all relevant documents as required by your chosen citizenship by investment program. At Global Citizenship Solutions, our advisors will act as the bridge between you and your preferred country’s Citizenship by Investment Unit. We will help you scan the documents and submit them correctly so that the chances of rejection are lower.
Getting your application processed – Once your application is received, the CBI Unit will begin its background checks and due diligence checks and, depending on the result, will either accept or reject your application. If your application is accepted, you move on to the next stage.
Make your investment – After your citizenship application is approved, you then have to make the required investment (either donate to the government fund, make a real estate investment, or proceed with any other eligible investment) and send proof to the Unit.
Get your Caribbean passport – After the Citizenship by Investment Unit confirms your investment and application, you will receive your naturalization certificate. With the certificate, you can then apply for your second passport. You can then collect your second passport from your agent’s office or get it couriered to an address of your choice.
Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program - A Comparison of the Donation Investment Route
Country | Investment Cost (Single Applicant) | Investment Cost (For a family of 4) | Family Eligibility | Time Frame | Visa-Free Travel Countries |
Antigua and Barbuda | €100,00 | $100,00 | Spouse, children, dependent parents, grandparents and siblings | Three to four months | Over 140 countries, including the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Russia |
St Lucia | $100,00 | $150,00 | Spouse, children, dependent parents, and siblings | Three to four months | Over 140 countries, including the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong |
Dominica | €100 | $175,00 | Spouse, children, dependent parents and grandparents | Two to three months | Over 140 countries, including the EU, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Russia |
St Kitts and Nevis | $250,00 | $350,00 | Spouse, children, and dependent parents | Four months | Over 140 countries, including the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, Russia |
Grenada | $150,00 | $200,00 | Spouse, children, dependent parents, grandparents, and siblings | Three to four months | Over 140 countries, including the EU, UK, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Russia |
To learn more about the Caribbean countries, you can read the following articles:
- Caribbean Citizenship by Investment -Comparison Guide
- Caribbean Citizenship by Investment Program 2024
- Everything You Need to Know about the St Kitts and Nevis Passport
- Grenada Passport – What You need to know
- Dominica Passport: Your Gateway to Caribbean Life
- Everything You Need to Know about the St Lucia Passport
Frequently Asked Questions about the Caribbean Passport
What is a Caribbean passport?
A passport from the Caribbean is a document that allows a citizen to freely enter any state with a visa-waiver agreement with your Caribbean country of citizenship. 20 Caribbean countries also belong to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), meaning a passport from any of them is also a CARICOM passport.
What are the five Caribbean citizenship programs?
Five countries offer citizenship by investment programs in the Caribbean: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St Kitts, and St Lucia.
How do I get a Caribbean passport?
By making the required qualifying investment (either through government funds, real estate investment, or other routes) and meeting all eligibility requirements, you can obtain Caribbean citizenship and, therefore, a passport.
Which Caribbean passport is the strongest?
Among the five countries that offer Caribbean citizenship programs, St Kitts and Nevis has the strongest passport. The country ranks 53rd on our Global Passport Index based on enhanced visa-free travel, quality of life, and economic investment.
