St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $250,000
Processing time: Four to six months
Visa-free countries: 167
Family inclusion: Spouse, children, dependent parents, and/or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse
Residency requirement: None
The St. Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment ranks first as the world’s best citizenship by investment program in the Global Citizenship Programs Report 2026.
Launched in 1984, it’s the world’s first citizenship by investment program and one of the Caribbean’s most established options.
The minimum investment starts at $250,000 through the Sustainable Island State Contribution. Additional routes include approved real estate investments from $325,000 and private homes from $600,000.
Citizenship approval takes around four to six months, making it one of the fastest citizenship-by-investment programs in 2026.
St. Kitts and Nevis has the strongest-performing Caribbean passport in the report, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 167 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia.
St. Kitts also allows dual citizenship and does not require applicants to relocate or spend time in the country before obtaining citizenship.
However, to enhance security, St. Kitts and Nevis rolled out fingerprint and facial-recognition biometric collection for all applicants in April 2026. In a major shift, the program will also require applicants to demonstrate physical presence to establish a “genuine link” with the state.
Antigua & Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $230,000
Processing Time: Eight to 10 months
Visa-free countries: 164
Family inclusion: Spouse, children under 30, and parents and grandparents over 55
Residency requirement: Five days in five years
Antigua and Barbuda’s Citizenship by Investment starts at $230,000 through a contribution to the National Development Fund. Investors can also qualify through approved real estate projects starting at $300,000 or business investments from $400,000. Citizenship approval takes around eight to ten months.
The Antigua and Barbuda CBI program is uniquely positioned for offering one of the broadest family inclusion globally, with eligibility extending to spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings
An Antigua and Barbuda passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 160 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, Hong Kong, and Singapore. Antigua and Barbuda is also one of the few Caribbean programs with visa-free access to China.
With the Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment, foreigners also have access to significant tax benefits. The country does not levy wealth tax, inheritance tax, or capital gains tax.
Applicants are not required to relocate to maintain citizenship. The only physical presence requirement is five days within the first five years after citizenship is granted.
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $235,000
Processing time: Six to eight months
Visa-free countries: 140
Family inclusion: Spouse, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 55, and unmarried siblings under 18
Residency requirement: None
Grenada’s Citizenship by Investment is the only Caribbean CBI program that gives investors eligibility to apply for the US E-2 Visa. This allows Grenadian citizens to live and operate a business in the United States.
Considered one of the best citizenship by investment programs in the world, the Grenadian Citizenship by Investment starts at $235,000 through a contribution to the National Transformation Fund. Investors can also qualify through approved real estate investments starting at $270,000. Citizenship processing takes around six to eight months.
A Grenada passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, the UK, China, and Singapore. Grenada also does not impose tax on worldwide income, inheritance, wealth, or capital gains.
Applicants are not required to visit or relocate to Grenada before or after citizenship approval.
Dominica Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $200,000
Processing time: Six to nine months
Visa-free countries: 140
Family inclusion: Spouse, children, dependent parents, and/or grandparents of the main applicant or spouse
Residency requirement: None
Dominica has one of the longest-running citizenship by investment programs in the world, operating since 1993. It is also the lowest-cost Caribbean citizenship program in 2026, with a minimum contribution of $200,000 to the Economic Diversification Fund.
Investors can also qualify for the Dominica Citizenship by Investment through approved real estate investments starting at $200,000, with additional government fees. The process takes around six to nine months and can be completed remotely, with a virtual interview and no residence requirements.
With a Dominica passport, investors gain visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 140 countries, including the Schengen Area, China, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
Dominica also offers tax benefits for residents, including no wealth tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, or tax on foreign-sourced income.
St. Lucia Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $240,000
Processing time: 12-18 months
Visa-free countries: 155
Family inclusion: Spouses, children under 30, parents and grandparents over 55, and unmarried siblings under 18
Residency requirement: None
St. Lucia’s Citizenship by Investment has four investment routes to choose from, more than other Caribbean programs. Applicants can qualify through a $240,000 contribution to the National Economic Fund, a $300,000 approved real estate purchase, a $300,000 government bond investment, or an enterprise investment starting at $250,000 in a joint project.
The government bond route is St. Lucia’s main differentiator. The National Action Bond requires a $300,000 non-interest-bearing investment, which is refundable after six years, plus government fees. This gives investors an option beyond a non-refundable donation or real estate purchase.
With a St. Lucia passport, successful applicants gain access to visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 155 countries, including the Schengen Area, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $130,000
Processing time: 60-90 days
Visa-free countries: 118
Family inclusion: Spouse, dependent children under 25 in full-time education, and parents or grandparents over 50
Residency requirement: None
With a processing time of 60 to 90 days, Vanuatu’s Citizenship by Investment is one of the fastest citizenship programs available in 2026.
The program starts at $130,000 through a non-refundable contribution to the Development Support Program. Investors can also apply through an approved real estate of $200,000 or the Capital Investment Immigration Plan, which requires $165,000 and includes a $50,000 refundable portion after four years.
A Vanuatu passport provides access to 118 countries, including Hong Kong, Singapore, Russia, and several Latin American destinations. Applicants can include a spouse, dependent children under 25 in full-time education, and parents or grandparents over 50, with no visit or residence requirement.
Additionally, according to Laura Madrid, Intelligence Unit Research Lead, Vanuatu’s tax system offers the “cleanest fiscal proposition” for investors. Its primary highlights include no personal income tax for residents and citizens, no capital gains or wealth taxes, and no inheritance or gift taxes.
Nauru Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $115,000
Processing time: Three months
Visa-free countries: 119
Family inclusion: Spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings
Residency requirement: None
Launched in 2024, Nauru’s Citizenship by Investment is one of the world’s newest citizenship programs. It is also one of the lowest-cost options, with a limited-time minimum contribution of $90,000 to the Nauru Treasury Fund until 30 June 2026. After that, the standard minimum contribution is $115,000.
The program allows investors to include spouses, children, parents, grandparents, and siblings, with no age cap for children and parents under the current rules.
A Nauru passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 119 countries, including the UAE, Hong Kong, Russia, and Singapore. Processing takes around three to four months, and applicants can complete the process remotely, including the citizenship interview and Oath of Allegiance.
Turkey Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $400,000
Processing time: Six to 12 months
Visa-free countries: 70
Family inclusion: Spouse, children under 18, and disabled dependents of any age
Residency requirement: None
Turkey’s Citizenship by Investment is one of the programs built around a recoverable investment. The most popular route is real estate, with a minimum investment of $400,000 and a three-year holding period.
Investors can also qualify through a $500,000 bank deposit, government bond purchase, investment fund share, fixed capital investment, or by creating at least 50 full-time jobs in Turkey.
Turkish citizenship can be granted in around six to twelve months, with no language test and no long-term residence requirement.
A Turkish passport provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 120 countries.
One of the main advantages of Turkey’s CBI program is that Turkish citizens can become eligible to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa, which allows qualifying investors to live and operate a business in the United States.
Cambodia Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $245,000
Processing Time: Six to nine months
Visa-free countries: 23
Family inclusion: Spouse and dependent children under 18
Residency requirement: None
Cambodia offers the only citizenship by investment program in Southeast Asia. It gives investors a direct route to Cambodian citizenship without the standard seven-year naturalization period.
The Cambodia Citizenship by Investment program starts with a $245,000 donation to the Royal Government of Cambodia. Other pathways include investing in an approved business or development project, though this route starts at $305,000 and can bring the total cost closer to $1 million.
Cambodian citizenship allows foreign investors to own land and property in Cambodia under the same rules as Cambodian citizens. The process takes around six to nine months, requires a Cambodian business visa and in-person identity checks in Phnom Penh, and allows applicants to include a spouse and dependent children.
Jordan Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: JOD 500,000
Processing time: Three to six months
Visa-free countries: 22
Family inclusion: Spouses, children, and dependent parents
Residency requirement: None
Jordan’s Citizenship by Investment program grants direct citizenship to foreigners who invest in local companies or launch projects that create jobs for Jordanian nationals.
The lowest investment route starts at JOD 500,000 for projects outside Amman and requires the creation of at least 10 full-time jobs maintained for three years. Projects in Amman require JOD 700,000 and 20 jobs. A separate route allows investors to qualify through JOD 1 million in Jordanian company shares.
The program is designed for investors seeking long-term commercial access to the Middle East rather than a low-cost mobility passport. Processing takes three to six months, and successful applicants receive full Jordanian citizenship and passport rights.
São Tomé & Príncipe Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $90,000
Processing time: Four to 10 weeks
Visa-free countries: 60
Family inclusion: Spouses or partners, dependent children, parents, or grandparents
Residency requirement: None
São Tomé and Príncipe’s Citizenship by Investment is one of the most affordable citizenship programs in 2026.
Launched in 2025, the program starts at $90,000 through a contribution to the National Transformation Fund. It also follows an approval-first model, meaning applicants can only proceed after passing due diligence and receiving approval in principle.
The program is also known for its speed, with applications being processed in around 2.5 months, and for facilitating residency within Portuguese-speaking countries through the CPLP framework.
São Tomé and Príncipe Citizenship by Investment provides visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to more than 60 destinations and allows inclusion of family members, such as spouses or partners, dependent children up to 30, and parents or grandparents over 55.
Egypt Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: $250,000
Processing time: Six to 12 months
Visa-free countries: 60
Family inclusion: Spouse and dependent children under 21
Residency requirement: None
Egypt’s Citizenship by Investment program gives investors access to a country connected to North Africa, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean, with access to a domestic market of more than 100 million people.
The program has several qualifying investment options. Investors can apply through a $250,000 government contribution, $300,000 in approved real estate, a $500,000 bank deposit, or a business investment of $350,000 plus a $100,000 contribution.
Egypt’s CBI also gives successful applicants eligibility to apply for the US E-2 Treaty Investor Visa.
Processing takes around six to twelve months, and there is no long-term residency requirement, although applicants may need to visit Egypt for biometrics, medical checks, and passport issuance.
North Macedonia Citizenship by Investment
Minimum investment: €200,000
Processing time: Two to six months
Visa-free countries: 79
Family inclusion: Spouse and dependent children under 18
Residency requirement: None
North Macedonia’s Citizenship by Investment is an attractive option for investors seeking exposure to a thriving Southeast European market.
North Macedonia’s strategic location in the Balkans also allows access to major transportation and trade corridors linking Central Europe, Greece, and Turkey.
The program has two investment routes: a €200,000 contribution to a government-approved private investment fund or a €400,000 direct business investment that creates at least ten jobs.
Applicants can obtain citizenship in North Macedonia in four to six months, with no mandatory residency or language requirements. Eligible dependents include a spouse and children under 18, and citizenship can be passed to future generations.
Step 01/ Speak to advisors
Speaking to advisors helps you find the citizenship by investment program that matches your priorities, whether that is faster processing, lower investment thresholds, stronger mobility, business access, or family inclusion.
At Global Citizen Solutions, our consultants help investors compare factors such as passport strength, investment options, and processing timelines.
Step 02/ Choose your investment
Once you select a country, you choose a qualifying investment route. Depending on the program, this can include government contributions, real estate investments, business investments, bank deposits, investment funds, or job-creation projects.
Step 03/ Prepare the documentation
Citizenship by investment applications require documents such as passports, birth and marriage certificates, police clearance certificates, proof of address, bank statements, and evidence showing the lawful source of funds.
Many countries also require documents to be translated, apostilled, or legalized before submission.
At Global Citizen Solutions, our team coordinates the preparation, certification, and review process.
Step 04/ Pass due diligence
Applicants undergo strict due diligence checks conducted by government authorities.
These checks verify criminal background, source of wealth, business activities, and financial history. Approval depends on proving that investment funds were obtained legally and that the applicant presents no reputational or security concerns.
Step 05/ Submit the application
Once the documentation is finalized and due diligence begins, the application is submitted.
Some countries allow fully remote applications, while others require biometrics, interviews, or short in-person visits during processing.
Step 06/ Make the investment
Completing the qualifying investment can involve transferring funds to a government account, purchasing approved real estate, investing in a business, or subscribing to an approved investment vehicle.
Several programs follow an approval-first model, meaning the investment is only completed after pre-approval.
Step 07/ Receive citizenship and the passport
Once the investment is verified and the application is approved, the applicant takes the oath of allegiance, where required, and receives the citizenship certificate and passport.
Processing times vary by country. Some citizenship by investment programs issue passports in as little as two to six months.
With CBI, there are three main costs:
- Investment: This will be the highest cost by far. Most CBI programs will require an investment of at least $90,000 for an individual, with this number increasing for additional dependents.
- Government Fees: Some countries charge an administrative fee for the CBI or due diligence process. This fee is a one-time cost that covers the expenses of the government agency that conducts the due diligence process. They usually cost $10,000+.
- Agency Fees: The last cost to consider is the fees of the agency you use to facilitate your CBI. Global Citizen Solutions provides comprehensive assistance throughout the CBI process. From the gathering of documents to the issuance of your new passport, we are there by your side.
- Real estate: Purchasing property is one of the most popular CBI investment options. Generally, properties will need to be held for a period of 3-7 years, depending on the country.
- Donation: This tends to be the fastest and cheapest way of obtaining second citizenship. While donations are non-refundable, they do provide benefits to the country, like an increase in spending on infrastructure, healthcare, and education.
- Business investment: Investing in a business offers the highest potential for returns, making it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs. Investment under this category may come with additional requirements, such as job creation.
- Government bonds: Stable, state-backed bonds that are refundable after a set holding period of 3-7 years.
- Bank deposit: Investors will need to deposit a set amount into an approved bank within the country they are pursuing. These deposits do not often bear interest, but they are refundable after a holding period.
The requirements for citizenship by investment will vary by country. However, all will require the following:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Have a clean criminal record
- Funds must be from a legal source
Most citizenship-by-investment programs do not require applicants to renounce their first citizenship. Countries such as St. Kitts and Nevis, Dominica, and Antigua and Barbuda allow dual citizenship.
However, some countries don’t allow dual citizenship, requiring investors to renounce their original citizenship. It’s important to always verify both countries’ citizenship laws before applying.